The Memory of Us

The Memory of Us is a moving, at times heart-breaking inspirational romance by Camille Di Maio. There will be tears.

The story opens in 1961 in a small village in England when a woman in the process of committing suicide is called out to deliver a baby. It turns out she is a midwife, a sad, lonely woman who has given up on life. The delivery is difficult, the mother is dying and the priest arrives to perform last rites and he turns out to be someone from her past, her lost love Kyle McCarthy.

The story then goes back nearly twenty-five years to when she first met the young man who would one day be that priest. The narrative goes back and forth between that night in 1961 and the past, recalling the great romance between her and the man who show more becomes Father McCarthy.

It is a story of self-abnegation of the sort that really irritates me. Self-sacrifice and denial for the good of others is fine and dandy if they want it. Making decision for other people’s good without consulting them is just wrong. And of course, that is what this story is really about, about sacrificing all on the altar of Nobody-Asked-You.

Fortunately for the story, we are given enough of a back story to understand how our heroine Julianne (Does she deserve to be called that?) came to hold such shallow values and have so little trust in love. Her parents packed away her twin brother when he was born with a congenital developmental defect that left him blind and cognitively impaired. She was a teenager when she learned she had a brother and began sneaking out to visit him. Her parents never spoke of him and never visited him. From them, she learned that flawed people were unacceptable and unloveable, so when she is scarred, she erases herself from the life of those she loves, letting them all believe she was dead.

However, it is a moving story. I confess I cried when she made the stupidest, shallowest, most ridiculous decision anyone could possibly make. I felt pity for her, though a fair dollop of contempt as well. She infuriated me by being weak and having paltry values that ranked appearance over love. Of course, I would not be nearly so infuriated with her if the book were poorly written. I hope someday the author puts her considerable talents to tell the story of someone more likable.

Well, to be honest, she was likable until she threw herself a giant pity party and made decisions on behalf of her family that she had no right to make. On the one hand, someone who loved and was loved so deeply as she seems an unlikely person to be so dumb. But, on the other hand, her parents were tawdry examples of love, particularly of unconditional love. They were only capable of love with conditions, and with perfection. So, I kind of understand, sort of, just a little bit, mostly not. Because the Julianne we get to know before she becomes pathetic was a kind, brave and smart young woman. Even though the trauma she went through and the grief she may have felt were pretty bad, it just seems something so dumb for such a smart girl. On the other hand, she did show herself to be weak, to be afraid to be truthful when the truth hurt. As you can see, the book is good enough to have me debating with myself.

For the rest of the review, go to my web site
http://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/the-memory-of-us-by-camill... show less

A special thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars ++ My Top Historic Fiction, WWII, Best Romance, and Debut of 2016!

Camille Di Maio’s smashing debut, THE MEMORY OF US is a poignant and timeless epic love story, of love and loss. More sweet than bitter, more triumphant than tragic. A passion both ageless and timeless. Two young adults pressured by family--a course navigated by parents, instead of their choice.

—From the 1930’s to the 1960s, from Liverpool, to London, The Isle of Man, and beyond. A socialite, forbidden love, the church, to the brutal bombings and WWII—a love so strong, neither time or place can separate.

Liverpool, 1920's The Westcott’s, a wealthy family show more (Newsham Park), of status, an elaborate estate with grounds- a son born with a handicap, they have hidden, stashed away- forgotten in a home, never visiting. A father who works all the time in his business, burying his sorrow in his work. A lonely mother who surrounds herself with people, alcohol, and social events. Their beautiful smart, daughter is their main focus. They have expectations. A daughter forced to turn against her family- they have kept in the dark of her twin brother. A daughter, Julianne who does not care of money and social status. One who chooses love. Her life takes a different course than her parent's set out for her.

Julianne Westcott, A Protestant girl born in 1920, pre-war, Liverpool, to a family surrounded by wealth, friends, and socialites. From their elaborate estate, servants, shopping, social events, luxury cars, charities, and society. However, Julianne discovers at a young age, her parents have not been forthcoming about her institutionalized twin brother. She keeps the secret, and begins visiting her brother Charles.

In the process, she will soon be headed off to London, to university; choosing a career in nursing. She has many friends, and her mother is always quick to pair her with society’s most eligible. However, Julianne is not like her parents. She has a heart of gold. She is not interested in riches. She is kind and caring. The suitors seem superficial.

While visiting her brother, in secret; she meets a handsome gardener, Kyle McCarthy who has taken notice of her brother and spends time with him. He is an Irish Catholic, an immigrant studying to become a priest, having been accepted into seminary. He is influenced by his dying mother and father's long time wishes for his vocation. There would be no future for them other than friendship.

Kyle is altruistic, kind, talented (landscape artist), and touches lives of everyone around him. He is caring, hardworking and has a strong love for his father. A million dollar smile and soul to warm hearts. Their friendship grows, and they become connected in many ways. When they both go away to school, they cannot forget the strong attraction to one another--however, neither acts on the growing attraction.

Their paths cross once again months later, when returning home from school for break. A true love and forbidden romance begins. Julianne is not interested in any other guys, and Kyle is being pulled from his devotion to the church. His love continues to grow. They will be together, no matter what. Her parents will have no part in their daughter dating or thinking of marrying someone beneath her. Their love is stronger and nothing will stand in their way. Their true happiness is tested time and time again.

Then comes war, death, separation from one another. The Hell. Julianne has lost her way. She is now only barely surviving with a loss and burden, so heavy, she can no longer bear.

“Surely this wasn’t the end. To have lived so long in despair. To have found hope and even happiness. Something restored to have one taken away. Was there no place in this world where all could be right, if only for a little while? Was there some great balance that had to be righted by pairing grief and joy. Was it so wrong to hope that happiness could be lived on this side?”

She had become a different person. A simple person, much different than the girl living in luxury next to Newsham Park. Anonymous. Now, to the point of wanting to end her life. She had nothing left. However, at the moment she is about to end her life, fate steps in.

She is interrupted-a traveling nurse, a midwife, and called to a home to save a dying mother and baby, as she has done many times. A priest, a little rectory split in two, the countryside, and a homely scarred housekeeper, a safe female attendant for a man living alone.

“Was she given an enormous reprieve from Heaven, a stay of execution? Possibly this was Purgatory? A place to atone for her sins, but always with the knowledge that paradise was waiting one room over. Not the Hell that she deluded herself into. It would take the kind of fatherly God that Kyle believed in to make the reunion take place.”

A seed of hope. A glimpse of light. A life she thought had been destroyed.

Memories. Paths chosen. Promises. Vows. War. Death. Despair. Loneliness. Guilt. Choices. Shame. Scarred. Faith tested. Broken. Rediscovery. Redemption. Faith through suffering. God. Joy and Sorrow. A faith for those seeking health and salvation. Had God given Juliette a second chance? A curtain: Salvation or condemnation waited on the other side. From lies, scandal, hurts, pain, scars, and wrongdoings. Seeking of absolution. Penance. Confession. Forgiveness. She recalls her vows of marriage. Their love.

THE MEMORY OF US beautifully written, with eloquent prose, infused with spiritual moments and metaphors of life: plants dying, cycles of life in a caterpillar, and the relation to life from Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory concepts--her life had been, as such. From symbolism, heart-breaking letters, repentance and joy. From extraordinary courage, faith, and endurance. For fans of Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook.

Throughout the novel, the author explores religious tones and two primary vocations in our faith: priesthood and marriage, and as referenced by DiMaio in an interview, "She considers them to be on equal footing, each modeling a different aspect of the image and likeness of God. We can’t have one without the other. Both involve dedication and calling, and each requires taking a lifelong vow."

In the novel, despite, the outside influences; good or bad. Kyle and Julianne are both the subjects of other people making choices for them. (Both families). But, ultimately, they must each discover what it is that they were created for.

Camille Di Maio clearly knows how to tug at heartstrings (mine officially stretched). An old-fashioned fiercely romantic and touching tale. Another element of surprise--what blew me away, the author is a Texan. You would never know she was not from London; courageous to tackle; well researched WWII, and beautifully written.

My reading experience: I was absolutely glued to this book, and fell in love with Kyle and Julianne! (perfection) The characters remain with you. After finishing, found myself returning the following day to re-read portions of the book, once again. I could not move on to my next book. The lingering . . . Have not cried this hard since the last Nicholas Sparks' movie/book. It will definitely clear your sinuses. Evocative! What a poignant love story. The Memory of Us has "Big Screen" written all over it. Can image the cast of stars.

A cross between Colleen McCullough's. The Thorn Birds, Nicholas Spark's love stories (dual timelines), authors, Kate Morton, Lisa Jewell, Jo Jo Moyes, Lisa Jewell, Kristin Hannah, and Susan Örnbratt.

What a fabulous weekend holiday read! Readers please watch the Book Trailer (excellent portrayal). I have watched the book trailer so many times. Definitely captures the essence of the book and time. Hope an audiobook will follow later, definitely purchasing.

Note to reader: When reading, a note of recommendation: Do not be confused with the scattered portions in italics “Abertillery.” If you have to skip over these section, it will all make sense when reaching the 85% mark, as the dual timelines are connected. Referring to a later time. Then you will want to refer back to these sections, when all is revealed. By the time you get to 97%, you will have all your fingernails chewed. From here on out, is explosive.

A timeless work of art! Camille Di Maio, You have yourself a winner- What a debut! Let's hope I can snag an ARC of Before The Rain, coming May 2017. Don't think I can wait. An author to follow!

Inspiration behind the book, and details of her second book: Author Interview

PS. I think my all time love of mystery, suspense and thrillers may be shifting towards Historical Fiction. This is like five in a row. Maybe I have found my new genre. show less

Oh this was such a lovely read. I really liked the setting, the characters and just the general feel of it. The only reason it didn't get a full 5 stars is because it was a bit of a slow start and sometimes jumped through great periods of times in a way that left me confused as to what exactly was going on. But that doesn't mean I didn't like the book because I really did. I believed in the romance and friendships and I liked how some things didn't get fully resolved because that's how real life is. I adore lighthearted historical romance but once in a while I really enjoy a story with more substance. And this book definitely has a lot of that.

The Beatles' beautiful, haunting, mysterious, and and all-too-brief song "Eleanor Rigby" inspired Camille Di Maio's The Memory of Us, and I was delighted to see how Di Maio incorporated the lyrics into her novel--right down to the final line. While I don't want to give away the ending, I will say it is both bittersweet and satisfying.

However, I had two problems with the novel. The first is the character of Julianne's deaf-blind brother, Charles. He has almost no personality; he is merely a plot device. The setting of the novel postdates both Laura Bridgman and Helen Keller, so why is no one interested in teaching Charles to communicate?

The second problem is the big, life-changing choice Julianne makes, which struck me as nonsensical--as show more another convenient plot device. I can think of ways it would have been more plausible, but again I don't want to provide spoilers.

Di Maio kept me turning the pages, but the characters felt like pawns instead of real people. While it's a great hook, I think adhering to the story skeleton established by "Eleanor Rigby" actually hindered her. I will be interested to see what she'll do in her next novel, without such a framework. show less

Julianne Westcott lives the life of a wealthy society girl in London. When she discovers that her parents have been hiding her institutionalized blind and deaf brother, her world seems to collapse. While visiting her brother, she meets, Kyle McCarthey, an Irish Catholoc priest. They fall in love and she must defy her parents for the man she loves. I never cared for Julianne. Her decisions throughout were typically selfish and self-centered. It was hard to care what happened to her. Her character was never developed enough for her to change or evolve.

Julianne is a beautiful girl from a wealthy family and appears to have it all. However he parents have been keeping a secret from her, and she in turn has kept secrets from them. They are not aware that she has discovered that she is a twin, or that they abandoned her brother to an institution at birth, never to see him again. They are also not aware that she visits her brother at the institution. Nor are they aware that Julianne has met and fallen in love with a young man that they would never approve of.
This was a beautiful work of historical fiction that begins before World War II and spans decades. It is a bittersweet story of a young woman finding the love of her life and the choices she is willing to make for those she loves. I show more had so much empathy for Julianne that at times I had tears in my eyes. I don't know when a book has last taken me on such an emotional roller coaster.

I received an advance copy for review show less

"The Memory of Us" was an okay read, but it was more romance than historical. Juliette was quite a good protagonist, but she annoyed me with the selfish, shallow decision she made after she was injured in the Blitz. Kyle, on the other hand, was very likeable and I sympathised with the struggle he faced choosing his life's path.

There were parts of this book I thoroughly enjoyed especially in the first-half, but there were others where I skimmed through the pages. I found the ending too quick and contrived, and was left unsatisfied despite having invested so much time into reading "The Memory of Us".