The Things We Keep

Anna is only 38 years old and is moving into Rosalind House because of Alzheimer's disease. Eve is in desperate need of a job when her husband dies and becomes cook and cleaner helping the residents there. This is an amazing story of how some will go the extra mile to help people who can't help themselves. A realistic and heart wrenching story about love. It took me a few weeks to start this book because I knew it would be an emotional roller coaster but I'm so glad to review and get this great story into the public eye.

As I wipe tears from my eyes, I have to think the author for this beautifully written, heartfelt book. I will miss Anna and Like, two victims of early onset Alzheimer's and the relationship between them; Eve and Clementine, mother and daughter surviving after Eve' husband's Ponzi scheme changes emir lives forever. All of the other stories of the people in Rosalind House will forever change the way you think of love.

I really enjoyed Ms. Hepworth's debut, The Secrets of Midwives, so I was happy to read and offer an honest review of this new novel from St. Martin's Press.

The Things We Keep is a beautifully written novel about the heartbreak of Dementia/Alzheimer's but also about the hope and beauty that life still holds after diagnosis. The story was told from several points of view, all distinct, but primarily by Eve Bennett, whose husband was "a bad man" and as a consequence has accepted a job at Rosalind House, a residential facility for patients of Alzheimer's. Eve has gone from a life of luxury as a chef to cooking and cleaning for residents who need to be introduced to her every day.

Most touching is the story of Anna. When she should be at the prime of her life, she is struck down by the loss of her memories, her words, cognitive function. At 38, Anna has been admitted to Rosalind House.

The other residents of the home were lively and full, to me. From Bert and Myrna to Laurie and Clara, even the staff, Eric and Rosie, the characters help to round out what is ultimately a love story between Anna and Luke, another young sufferer of Dementia.

Anna and Luke often have to be reminded each day who the other person is... but once they see each other, they remember their relationship, how much they've come to care for each other. I was touched by the idea that people never forget to love. And I loved the quote, "You might not remember this but you'll never forget it."

I especially liked the chapters from Anna's point of view. So often, the depiction of an Alzheimer's patient is a bumbling, elderly person mumbling incoherent phrases and wandering through life, oblivious. This novel shows us so much more, how Anna becomes aware of her decline, fears it and hates it but is powerless to stop it. Her internal battle to stay present to the end is bittersweet as it melds with her desire to still enjoy life and experience love.

My only complaint about the book is how it unfolds. The timeline is... confusing at best. Eve's chapters seem to move present day forward while Anna's chapters begin 14 months prior. I do understand how the two points of view dovetail to bring the story together, but I had a hard time keeping the storyline together.

In all, this was a great read. Since my Alzheimer's research for Brunch at Ruby's, I've been drawn to novels about Dementia and those who suffer along with the patients.

Published by: St. Martin's Press (January 19th 2016)

ISBN: 9781250051905

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 5*

Synopsis:

Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there's just one another resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

Review:

Wow, just wow. The Things we Keep had me utterly mesmerized; it is simply breathtaking. I had not read the synopsis, so Anna and Luke's love for one another was a wonderful revelation that I hadn't expected. Their story is joyously happy, unbearably sad and incredibly touching. I just couldn't stop reading, I was captivated throughout. When I turned the last page and came to the end, I had no idea what time of day it was, I'd been oblivious to everything around me!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Prepare to be blown away...

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.

Oh what a beautiful, sincere, and totally heartbreaking book this. I honestly can't put into words how I'm feeling about it right now. The pain, anguish, torture, and unfairness of a love so true and so strong being pulled apart.

It is a mesmerising read, one that keeps you locked into the warmth of Rosalind House where we get to meet and bond with all of the residents.

Narrated by, Anna. A thirty-nine year old paramedic who has younger-onset dementia. Eve Bennett, a recently widowed chef who joins Rosalind House as their new chef/cleaner. And, last, but not least, Eve's seven year old daughter, Clementine.

With three stories, three perspectives, three lives, it is fair to say that the read has you in and out and upside down and round the bend, and back to the beginning again. It's a complete roller coaster of emotions. With Anna speaking from twelve months prior, and Eve and Clem speaking from today it is a catch up and backward glancing, intense and utterly pulled into a 'what the hell has happened' scenario.

The plot is overwhelming and at times I did feel out of my depth. I did want more Anna I must admit. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed Eve and Clem, I needed more time with Anna. Saying that though it's clever and undeniably exceptional plot. With that and a slower pace with skillful writing and passionate characters, it is a force to be reckoned with. It truly is.

A book so devastating sad, but so devastatingly beautiful. A book of love, a book of promise.

5/5

I first heard of The Things We Keep back in September from Breaking the Spine’s Waiting on Wednesday. I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis as I really enjoyed Still Alice. So I was very glad I was able to get approval for the ACR on Netgalley. I am glad I did, as this was a great read. This was a unique look at Alzheimer’s as it dealt with Anna, a women in her thirties, diagnosed with early-onset. While she is still mentally able, she decides to move into an assisted living center, and picks one based on the fact that they have another young resident with dementia.

The chapters alternate character narration and go a year in the future and then back. It sounds confusing but worked very well within the scope of the story. The world built was vivid and solid, the pacing was just right and the majority of the characters were strong. A few of the side characters felt shoved in and had very little to do with moving the story forward. But even with those included the story never lagged. The high emotional quotient in The Things We Keep was perfection and I really enjoyed all of the different interactions.

What I enjoyed the most was that this was a very different type of women’s fiction. It melded a contemporary women’s fiction with a medical drama then added in some romance and a Ponzi scheme. It shouldn’t have worked, but it did. Sally Hepworth managed to create a read that touches many emotional levels and had depths I was not expecting. The Things We Keep is a book that will stay with you in the best of ways.

Part romance, part tearjerker, this story is tragic yet inspiring, and heart felt.. Anna Forster has not had a great life, and now at only 38 years old it seems her life is coming to an end. She and her twin brother watched their mom deteriorate with Alzheimer's, and it would seem their dad never looked back after abandoning them. Now Anna herself has been diagnosed with the same deadly disease and can no longer take care of herself. She is one of only 2 "young people" in Rosiland House, the assisted living facility which is now her home.
Eve Bennett and her young daughter Clementine are also facing some hard times of their own, when Eve comes to take over as cook and housekeeper at Rosiland House. Having lost her home, her friends, and her money through no fault of her own Eve knows what it's like to have loved and lost. Eve forms a bond with Anna and finds herself risking losing her job to do what she can to make Anna's final days happy, and maybe at last find some happiness for herself and her daughter.

Wow! What a beautiful, poignant, heartfelt story. I couldn't put it down and when I did it stayed with me. I kept thinking about Anna and Luke and what would happen to them. I loved the story of Eve and Clementine too. It was a sad but powerful story and will stay with me for a long time.

An unusual story which bought out more understanding of early onset dementia. The way the author has written though the eyes of the dementia sufferer with their mind quietly retreating from the world was done with great sensitivity.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review - The things we keep.
This beautiful but heartbreaking book is about dementia and how it affect the people who has it as well as their family and friends. Sally Hepworth told Anna's story very very good. We also get a glimpse of what goes on in an assisted care facility and quickly realise that all are the same as this facility has its problems. This is also Eve and Clem's story and how they cope with their problems. I loved reading this book and would highly recommend it to all the readers interested in reading about dementia. Dementia is a sad disease as it robs the afflicted, family and friends of quality time with their loved ones. If you loved the Notebook, you will love - the things we keep.