Scan barcode
amolotkov's review
5.0
A complex novel that spans decades, The Memory of Love places the reader in the complex history of Sierra Leone amid a civil war. Many dark forces fight for dominance with little respect for human rights. Medicine, psychology, and finding one's place in life are among the themes that contribute to this multifaceted love story.
herbookishcorner's review
5.0
A story told through three voices—Dr. Adrian, Dr. Kai, and Prof. Cole—each a troubled man with a rich backstory.
Much love to Sierra Leone; this book highlights themes of war and its effects on people (imagine witnessing the beheading of your spouse). While post-traumatic stress disorder is well-known, Dr. Adrian learns in Sierra Leone that they simply call it “living”—life must continue despite memories of war and unhealed traumas.
Dr. Kai is a thriving surgeon, yet the lingering impacts of war and lost love threaten his effectiveness. And the old professor on his deathbed? He reflects on his feelings for Julius’s wife. This feels almost like an autobiography.
Reading this book feels like watching New Amsterdam, where Dr. Max Goodwin is in a rush to revitalize a struggling healthcare facility. Isn’t that what British psychologist Dr. Adrian and Dr. Kai are trying to do in Sierra Leone?
A long but rewarding read—5 stars!
Much love to Sierra Leone; this book highlights themes of war and its effects on people (imagine witnessing the beheading of your spouse). While post-traumatic stress disorder is well-known, Dr. Adrian learns in Sierra Leone that they simply call it “living”—life must continue despite memories of war and unhealed traumas.
Dr. Kai is a thriving surgeon, yet the lingering impacts of war and lost love threaten his effectiveness. And the old professor on his deathbed? He reflects on his feelings for Julius’s wife. This feels almost like an autobiography.
Reading this book feels like watching New Amsterdam, where Dr. Max Goodwin is in a rush to revitalize a struggling healthcare facility. Isn’t that what British psychologist Dr. Adrian and Dr. Kai are trying to do in Sierra Leone?
A long but rewarding read—5 stars!
africker's review
4.0
Read off the back of a trip to Freetown but not needed to enjoy this novel. Only thing - Mormon's drinking coke?
literarymumsy's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karinlib's review
4.0
This was a beautifully written novel about Sierra Leone after their decade Civil War (1991 - 2002), flashbacks to when the rebels ruled the land, and the atrocities that the average civilians had to endure.
estherokunlola's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
patchworkbunny's review
1.0
DNF
The Memory of Love is not an awful book. Most of my book group enjoyed it though they did seem to agree with me that it took 150 pages to get into. I gave up on page 164 (or 36%).
To be honest, I felt uninspired by the book before I even picked it up. A book about love in Sierra Leone. Sounds promising but I didn't engage at all with the characters and I felt it was all a bit unemotional. The group countered that it was more like real life. 1. I get enough real life as it is and 2. I am quite an emotional person (in real life). I felt like I was going through the motions of reading the words but not feeling them. Some thought it was beautifully written but when I compare it to some of my recent reads, it just doesn't cut the mustard in that respect either. I wasn't even moved by scenes of a country ruined by civil war because I felt it was glossed over. The parts I read that did deal with the effects of war did interest me more. There were also too many "main" characters yet not a lot separating them personality wise.
The Memory of Love is not an awful book. Most of my book group enjoyed it though they did seem to agree with me that it took 150 pages to get into. I gave up on page 164 (or 36%).
To be honest, I felt uninspired by the book before I even picked it up. A book about love in Sierra Leone. Sounds promising but I didn't engage at all with the characters and I felt it was all a bit unemotional. The group countered that it was more like real life. 1. I get enough real life as it is and 2. I am quite an emotional person (in real life). I felt like I was going through the motions of reading the words but not feeling them. Some thought it was beautifully written but when I compare it to some of my recent reads, it just doesn't cut the mustard in that respect either. I wasn't even moved by scenes of a country ruined by civil war because I felt it was glossed over. The parts I read that did deal with the effects of war did interest me more. There were also too many "main" characters yet not a lot separating them personality wise.