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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In Memory of Us is a richly layered stunner of a story which explores twinship, dementia, motherhood, race, guilt, secrets, police corruption and wrongful conviction, memory, queerness and more. I enjoyed the dual perspectives and the contrasting ways Selina and Zora reacted to life events and to each other, their constant cycle of coming together and pulling apart, of trying to establish their identities within and outside their relationship as twins.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Dementia, Death, Xenophobia, Racism, and Abandonment
ruth_bookaddict's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Would recommend. Excellent look at some hard issues such as dementia and racism. Characters were really complex and flawed.
calturner's review against another edition
5.0
My first 5 star read of the year. Full review to follow.
she_loves_to_read's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
In Memory Of Us is a beautifully written, emotional, poignant, powerful, and thought-provoking story following twins Selina and Zora as they navigate rampant racism, tragedy, grief, mental health issues, sexuality and illegitimate children post Windrush generation in 1950's/60's Britain.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
abbie_'s review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC!
.
My 2024 ARCs got off to an incredible start thanks to Jacqueline Roy! I hope more people pick this up because it’s just a beautiful piece of fiction. I had been wanting to read The Fat Lady Sings when Penguin reissued it in 2021, so when I spotted Roy’s name pop up on Netgalley and saw conjoined twins, Windrush generation, dementia, I hit request and readied myself for heartbreak.
.
I’ve read a couple of books that tackle dementia and they’ve all been wonderfully done, in my opinion. In Memory of Us is no different. Roy uses a dual timeline and dual POVs to fantastic effect, both to flesh out the twins’ stories and to highlight Selina’s battle with the disease that’s slowly stripping away her memory. Her deteriorating mental state is heartbreaking to witness.
.
The other most compelling part of the book for me was (obviously) Zora’s journey to discovering her sexuality, while growing up in the 60s amidst hatred fuelled by Enoch Powell’s ‘rivers of blood’ speech. The queer aspect of this story took me by surprise but was a welcome addition.
.
Roy fleshes out the twins’ relationship to each other and the other characters in the book with deft ease. I never once felt my attention slipping, I felt moved but not emotionally manipulated, I raged along with the twins.
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A must read for anyone interested in stories focusing on memory, Windrush and complex family relationships!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Abandonment, Death, Racism, and Dementia
kikireadsstuff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Oh my heart! I went in expecting a read that would be emotional but this one really packed punch.
The writing was absolutely stunning! I was sucked in immediately and my attention never wavered. Such raw and real emotions within the writing - it would evoke strong feelings in anyone.
The characters were so wonderfully written, so well fleshed out and realistic. The book does such an amazing job of exploring complex relationships, especially those of identical twins. As well as some really hard hitting factors of race, especially when growing up in the 50’s & 60’s.
Selina’s decline throughout the book was heartbreaking but written wonderfully. You felt her frustration and her fight to cling onto her memories. I found myself really rooting for her and feeling all her pain.
The story unfolds at a really good pace. Flitting between Selina in the present day and Zora in the past. This gave such a unique view of the story and their backgrounds. I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what had happened, why, who - everything. So many unexpected twists towards the end, it blew my mind - and thoroughly broke my heart.
The book was insightful, harrowing and an all round beautiful read. Massively recommend to anyone who loves a raw and complex read. I’d love to read more from the author in the future.
alyssia_reads's review
This started slow but by 35% I was really into it. However, I'm bad at managing my netgalleys and it archived before I could finish it. I'm sad. I'll definitely get it after publication so I can finish what I started.
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