Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick
London Lane can remember the future but not the past. Every night her memories are erased, and she wakes up to a unfamiliar world. The good news is that she remembers her future; thus she recognizes everything and everyone who plays a part in her life to come. That means she knows her house, her mom, her school, and her town. What she doesn't know is what she wore to school the day before, the names of people who aren't in her future, her homework assignments, and her childhood.
Every night before she goes to bed, London records her day so she can live her tomorrow as normally as possible. She and her mom have it all under control until the day London has a real memory--one from her childhood. As past and future collide, London is confronted with events that she must learn to accept and is haunted by the possibility that she can change what's to come.
Cat Patrick's young adult novel Forgotten is founded on a classic premise: If you know the future, can you change events? Should you change them? Should you tell your friends what will happen? London Lane's story, however, has a unique perspective. What if you knew your future but didn't know your past? At least some of your tomorrows would lose their context, making it difficult to understand how your life will play out.
With its mix of humor, teen trauma, and deeper tragedies, Forgotten is both a quick read and a novel that is perfect for book clubs. Besides the ramifications of knowing the future, discussion topics include parent-child relationships, teacher-student relationships, the limits (if any) of one's responsibility to help others, personal privacy and trust, and the circumstances (if any) when it's okay to hide the truth to protect those you love.
Forgotten is an Indie Next pick for Summer 2011. If you'd like to read the novel, remember that there's still time to enter my giveaway: Two of my readers have a chance to win a copy of Forgotten (U.S./Canada mailing address only; for details, click the link).
Give it to me quickly: Teenage London Lane can "remember" her future but not her past; when she foresees unhappiness, should she use her special knowledge to try protect those she loves?
ISBN-13: 9780316094610
YTD: 57
Source: review (see review policy).
Rating: B-
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
This review will also be linked at Julie's blog Booking Mama: "Every Saturday, [she hosts] a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books."
19 comments:
I seem to be in the midst of a reading theme - memories or a lack of them. And now even in the YA books. I'm really fascinated with all aspects of memory and this one sounds very appealing as well. Going now to put it on my wish list.
What a great premise! This book sounds really good and thought provoking to me! I hope I entered your giveaway.
I like this, too! Not a completely new and unique premise, but I like the twist of the past and future coming together. I think my stepdaughter would LOVE this. Entered the giveaway.
I entered the giveaway as well. The book sounds excellent and I would love the chance to read it. I bet my daughter would love it too!
Interesting concept. This sounds like a really good summer read. Thanks for hosting a giveaway. I'm so glad I'm finally back to blogging.
I really like the concept behind this. Looks interesting and pretty unique. Very cool.
I just finished this one a few days ago. Loved the concept, enjoyed the book.
I've been seeing this book around for a bit and love the idea. It'd be interesting to see how much the past gives context to the future, and vice versa. Thanks for hosting another giveaway, too. You rock.
I love the premise of this book and the themes that go with it, so I am hoping to get a chance to read it soon.
I'd never heard of this book before today. It sounds interesting!
There must be another book that is out now that is somewhat similar to this one. I keep seeing it but it sounds a bit different. I wish I could remember the title because now I'm confused!!!
This sounds exactly like something i would love! I'm definitely going to get a copy of Forgotten.
Sounds like a great premise from a fellow author! - I'll check it out.
Sounds really really good. A lot like one I just got but forget the name at the moment. Adding it to my wishlist though.
This sounds really good, but I am curious why you rated it a B-. What were your issues with it? With all the memory loss books these days, I want to make sure that I am investing in the best ones!
Michelle: A B- is still above "meh." I really liked the book but it wasn't all-time favorite book ever. It was a unique take on an interesting concept, it held my attention, and even surprised me. So a B- is still recommended but the book won't make my top-ten for the year.
Another one into the wish list. I've read another review of this book too. I think it's by Sandy. I have the memory of a [fill in the blank] these days.
So much love for this book. I really enjoyed the mystery and premise.
This is definitely an interesting premise. I feel like I tend to get confused with these types of books, and maybe a little frustrated with the memory stuff and what can be recalled or not, but still definitely a title to consider picking up.
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