Summary: The Memory of Love revolves around three men in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1969 after the civil war. Elias Cole a history professor, Kai Mansaray, a gifted surgeon and Adrian Lockheart, a British psychologist. The old university lecturer, Elias Cole tells the story of his wife and the wife of his colleague, Julius. He recalls the desire that drove him to acts of betrayal he has tried to justify.

“In that respect, war was worse for civilians, for at least the fighters were given the opportunity to act. Civilians were like rats in a barrel”

The Memory of Love is a beautiful novel. I loved that Aminatta Forma explored the aftermath of war on civilians. Every character in the book is presented as suffering the consequence of the civil war.
Last year, I read “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah. Beah’s book gave a first account of the children who were recruited as soldiers or rebels in a war that lasted until 2002. I learnt so much about the civil war in Sierra Leone that claimed as many as 50,000 lives. The Memory of Love goes a step beyond describing the civil way to critically look at how the people lived and survived after the war.

Forna’s description of people, places and events are heavy and heartbreaking. I was particularly touched by the individual stories of lost love, shattered dreams, hopelessness and death. It broke my heart.

The entire nation is burdened by the war. Forna reveals how the citizens who were either witnesses or victims of the civil war are undergoing a serious mental health challenge. Forna’s writing is exceptional – revealing several aspects of the aftermath of the war.

The Memory of Love explored themes such as love, betrayal, friendship, family, the aftermath of a civil war, loss and grief, mental health.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to understand the civil war in Sierra Leone and its aftermath.