The Memory Book: A Novel

Phoebe never really recovered after the premature death of her mother twenty years ago. Now, even with her loving grandmother, best friends, and fiancé, Phoebe feels alone and unable to trust. When she discovers an old scrapbook from another Phoebe who was a teenager back in the 1920s, it may hold some answers in The Memory Book by author Penelope J. Stokes.

I first read this novel around two decades ago. It's kind of a darker read than I remember, though it's not too depressing like other contemporary fiction I find full of dry gloom—especially stories focused on women, including other Christian novels.

This story has mysterious and fantastical/slipstream elements that are quite interesting. And because I only remembered a fraction of show more the plot, I could read it with a sense of suspense all over again and was even in for some surprises.

Now, I do feel certain chunks of the story are on the nose, and others are repetitive. Also, while I'm sure much concerning Phoebe's crisis of faith is realistic, I personally find the angle to be a tired one for ChristFic. It makes me wonder what many people are being taught to base their faith on in the first place. But that's a whole real-life discussion I won't get into.

While it wasn't a happy-go-lucky kind of stroll, this walk down memory lane held my attention, and I ultimately found it to be touching. show less

Penelope Stokes did an awesome job with this book. This is a book that will grab you and won't let you go until you finish it. It is a great book. Easy to read and the similarities in our main character and her namesake are absolutely uncanny.

Amazing and thought provoking. Had a mystery in a mystery if you can believe that. Great characters and wonderful storyline. Never judge a book by it's cover... should be the mantra here. Her friends are always there and willing but she wasn't? Great read and very enjoyable. Love this author.!!!

Another tear-jerker by a wonderful writer. I loved the characters and wanted to know their thoughts and feelings - because they were so real and true.