Helpful Score: 15
Wow, what a great book! This is not your usual chick lit fare. This book was smart, funny, suspenseful, and made me think about how I act in my own life.
When Alice forgets the last 10 years of her life after a head injury, she's faced with the shocking truth that she's divorcing her husband, but doesn't know why. She can't remember her 3 children. And her interactions with her family and friends brings her to the realization that her 40 year old self is not the same person she thought she was at 30.
I loved how details about Alice's life were slowly unfolded throughout the story, with teasers that kept you reading to find out more. Who is Gina? Why are her and Nick separated? Why is her sister so frosty?
The ending was satisfying, and actually made me stop to think about how I treat my own family and friends, and the impact that will have on my life 10 years from now.
I highly recommend this book! Go, read this now! :)
When Alice forgets the last 10 years of her life after a head injury, she's faced with the shocking truth that she's divorcing her husband, but doesn't know why. She can't remember her 3 children. And her interactions with her family and friends brings her to the realization that her 40 year old self is not the same person she thought she was at 30.
I loved how details about Alice's life were slowly unfolded throughout the story, with teasers that kept you reading to find out more. Who is Gina? Why are her and Nick separated? Why is her sister so frosty?
The ending was satisfying, and actually made me stop to think about how I treat my own family and friends, and the impact that will have on my life 10 years from now.
I highly recommend this book! Go, read this now! :)
Helpful Score: 8
This book has an interesting plot line. Alice forgets ten years of her life after a fall. The unfolding of her story causes you to consider how one's values change throughout life. As I was reading, I wondered what my 28 year old self would think of my now 38 year old self!
Great read!
Great read!
Helpful Score: 6
I really enjoyed this book.
The book is well written & I felt really involved with the characters - wanting to know what would happen next. Little snippets of the past came back throughout the book, leaving me wanting more.
I found it to be thought provoking. What would happen if I lose the last 10 years of my life? How would I look differently at the life I'm currently living? How did I get here, what kind of actions & decisions affected the path my live took? If the me from 10 years ago could get a glimpse of the me now, would I still be happy?
I highly recommend!
The book is well written & I felt really involved with the characters - wanting to know what would happen next. Little snippets of the past came back throughout the book, leaving me wanting more.
I found it to be thought provoking. What would happen if I lose the last 10 years of my life? How would I look differently at the life I'm currently living? How did I get here, what kind of actions & decisions affected the path my live took? If the me from 10 years ago could get a glimpse of the me now, would I still be happy?
I highly recommend!
Helpful Score: 6
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-alice-forgot.html
What if you woke up one day and part of your life was missing? That is what happens to Alice. She thinks it is 1998, and she is happily married and pregnant with her first child. In reality, it is 2008. Alice is the mother of three children and on the brink of divorce. An accident at the gym has resulted in amnesia - what Alice forgot is the last ten years of her life. The book tells the story of her discovery of who she is as a person and the reconciliation between her "present" and the actual present time.
The most interesting part of the book is the comparison between who Alice was and who she is ten years later. Often, change creeps up on us slowly such that we don't even realize it has happened. However, Alice is face to face with her own self - ten years apart. She discovers that she does not recognize the person she has become.
Gradually, we learn about the events and circumstances of the ten years that Alice forgot. Alice has a chance to reflect different roads she might have taken and different choices she could have made. The thought of a do-over in life is a tempting. Alice does not really get a do-over because she cannot undo the last ten years. However, her reflections can lead to different choices and changes in the future.
Overall, What Alice Forgot was an interesting book. However, the same story could be told in fewer than 400 pages. Parts of the book felt a little long and a little repetitive. That aside, the story and the premise of a fresh look at our lives is such a tempting one.
What if you woke up one day and part of your life was missing? That is what happens to Alice. She thinks it is 1998, and she is happily married and pregnant with her first child. In reality, it is 2008. Alice is the mother of three children and on the brink of divorce. An accident at the gym has resulted in amnesia - what Alice forgot is the last ten years of her life. The book tells the story of her discovery of who she is as a person and the reconciliation between her "present" and the actual present time.
The most interesting part of the book is the comparison between who Alice was and who she is ten years later. Often, change creeps up on us slowly such that we don't even realize it has happened. However, Alice is face to face with her own self - ten years apart. She discovers that she does not recognize the person she has become.
Gradually, we learn about the events and circumstances of the ten years that Alice forgot. Alice has a chance to reflect different roads she might have taken and different choices she could have made. The thought of a do-over in life is a tempting. Alice does not really get a do-over because she cannot undo the last ten years. However, her reflections can lead to different choices and changes in the future.
Overall, What Alice Forgot was an interesting book. However, the same story could be told in fewer than 400 pages. Parts of the book felt a little long and a little repetitive. That aside, the story and the premise of a fresh look at our lives is such a tempting one.
Helpful Score: 3
What Alice Forgot is like a version of Sophie Kinsella's "Remember Me?" on steroids. The basic plot point of both novels is essentially the same: a woman wakes up after a head injury with no memories of her current life. She then spends the rest of the book trying to piece her life back together and struggles to figure out who she "really is."
While "Remember Me?" is more carefree at heart (it is by Sophie Kinsella, after all), "What Alice Forgot" is longer, deeper, and packs more of an emotional punch. This is a book that deals with marriage, motherhood, friendship, infertility, and divorce, and it does so with candid honesty as well as humor.
This is a book that demands every reader to ask the same questions of themselves: "If I suddenly woke up and thought I was 10 years younger, how would I see my current life? What would I think of myself? My decisions? My situation?" This book is an ideal choice for book clubs and discussion groups, as it easily provides hours of conversational fodder.
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a deceptively easy read that kept me engaged from the very beginning. The challenge of having "young Alice" and "old Alice" sharing the same life was handled with masterful execution, and it made the entire story more than simply plausible: it made it feel real. I highly recommend it.
While "Remember Me?" is more carefree at heart (it is by Sophie Kinsella, after all), "What Alice Forgot" is longer, deeper, and packs more of an emotional punch. This is a book that deals with marriage, motherhood, friendship, infertility, and divorce, and it does so with candid honesty as well as humor.
This is a book that demands every reader to ask the same questions of themselves: "If I suddenly woke up and thought I was 10 years younger, how would I see my current life? What would I think of myself? My decisions? My situation?" This book is an ideal choice for book clubs and discussion groups, as it easily provides hours of conversational fodder.
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a deceptively easy read that kept me engaged from the very beginning. The challenge of having "young Alice" and "old Alice" sharing the same life was handled with masterful execution, and it made the entire story more than simply plausible: it made it feel real. I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book! It was so different and thought provoking. I couldn't put it down, the story just draws you in and pulls you along. The characters were extremely well developed, and the relationships seemed quite authentic. I highly recommend this book!
Helpful Score: 3
I'm giving this book four stars, because I really enjoyed it -- enough to finish the whole darn thing (400+ pages) in one insomniatic night. It's not "literature," but it's well-written Aussie (not British, as I originally thought) chick lit. The characters are well-developed, the plot is entertaining, and I really liked it.
Parts of this book made me laugh, many parts made me cry in that Rom-Com written to make you cry way, and some parts made me think. As the discussion questions at the end ask, what would the me from ten years ago think of the current me?
The ending didn't bother me. It felt kind of inevitable, considering the genre.
Parts of this book made me laugh, many parts made me cry in that Rom-Com written to make you cry way, and some parts made me think. As the discussion questions at the end ask, what would the me from ten years ago think of the current me?
The ending didn't bother me. It felt kind of inevitable, considering the genre.
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of those rare books where the characters are so endearing they become a permanent part of your heart. I just wanted to read and absorb every moment and I got nothing else done while reading it! It is a funny, genuine and heart warming story of family. It's one thing to think of going back in time and possibly changing your mistakes, but to wake up 10 years older without the memories of what has occurred in those 10 years and maybe your life and the lives of those you love isn't what you thought it would be is another concept altogether. A unique and absolutely wonderful book! An experience not to be missed!
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book and the transformations that took place ... made you think about what you would do in the same situation.
Helpful Score: 1
I really and truly enjoyed reading this one. It captured me from the start and caused much self-reflection, wondering what my "past" self would think of my current situation. (For the record, quite pleased!)
Imagine waking up to find yourself with three children and a pending divorce from the husband with whom you're madly in love, none of which were around just (seemingly) seconds ago. And imagine having no memory whatsoever of your best friend in the world, who you watched die. That probably got to me the most.
Poor Alice wakes up to find herself completely and totally changed - from her new, bitchy personality, expensive clothes, fancy lattes, and uber-organizational skills to her ultra-skinny body and hours in the gym.
Piece by piece, we find out, until the moment that everything returns. And we're hoping beyond hope that the "old" Alice stays. I was so upset at the "end." I think the last chapter made up for it, though.
I could see what was coming with her sister and her grandmother - that was easy. It's what she said about divorce and people drifting apart that threw medidn't see that or want to.
Great, quick read.
Imagine waking up to find yourself with three children and a pending divorce from the husband with whom you're madly in love, none of which were around just (seemingly) seconds ago. And imagine having no memory whatsoever of your best friend in the world, who you watched die. That probably got to me the most.
Poor Alice wakes up to find herself completely and totally changed - from her new, bitchy personality, expensive clothes, fancy lattes, and uber-organizational skills to her ultra-skinny body and hours in the gym.
Piece by piece, we find out, until the moment that everything returns. And we're hoping beyond hope that the "old" Alice stays. I was so upset at the "end." I think the last chapter made up for it, though.
I could see what was coming with her sister and her grandmother - that was easy. It's what she said about divorce and people drifting apart that threw medidn't see that or want to.
Great, quick read.
Helpful Score: 1
Other reviewers have done a fine job describing the plot for this book, and I agree with what they've said - a fast and a fun read, with a very different angle on the story. All I want to add is that the author, Liane Moriarty, tells her stories with great detail and doesn't leave any threads dangling. I love how she is able to get into her characters' heads and speak for all the different personalities. This is the third of her books I've read, and she is definitely becoming a favorite. Excellent! D.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much. I was a bit torn with the ending but still enjoyed the whole story and all the transformations.
Helpful Score: 1
A light read but a story that captured my interest from the first page to the last!
Helpful Score: 1
Beautifully written.....heartwarming and funny. While Alice's story takes center stage, there are also two other compelling stories and points of view shared throughout the novel. You can't help but wonder (along with Alice) how she changed so much in ten years. I kept wondering how the author could possibly pull off an emotionally satisfying and realistic ending, but she did it. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year.
Helpful Score: 1
Another wonderful book from Liane Moriarty! This was so intriguing, funny, sad at times, but fabulous read...could not put it down. This author writes so well, it's like you're there, picturing each character, feeling each emotion, involved in their lives. GREAT book!
Helpful Score: 1
I read WHAT ALICE FORGOT for this month's "Female Name" theme in The Reading Cove, our online book club.
First off, I thought the synopsis gave away too much information, which sucked a lot of the tension from the opening chapters for me. And Alice losing ten years exactly makes it hard not to see the entire plot as rather sophomoric and gimmicky vs. something clever and real. Wouldn't it have been more true-to-life if she'd lost a more ambiguous amount of time...like say nearly 11 or 12 and a half years or something like that? Who gets knocked out and loses exactly the last ten years?
On the other hand, the author's pretty good at writing for comedy. I LOL a few times in the beginning; and some of the anticipated beats played out nicely, like when the effects of Alice's amnesia had clear benefits for improving circumstances with her children and in her fractured marriage.
While I think 'the younger you having the benefit of a glimpse at the older you' and vice versa was a fantastic premise, I feel it could've been executed with greater depth in the hands of a more sophisticated writer, because in the end, Alice's discoveries (and the details that she forgot) are pretty shallow and generic. The author leads you down one train of thought where Alice's marriage is concerned, then throws in a gotcha-styled "twist" that wasn't nearly as interesting, IHMO.
Oh, and the rambling POV of two other characters was included throughout the story in the form of very detailed letters...these could've easily been edited out; they become totally skimmable by the middle. But the main issue with these POVs was that every character, including Alice, seemed to think in the same cynical, ADHD, dark humor tone! Seriously...aside from the different issues they were each focused on, they may as well have been the exact same person. Not good, right?
All in all, I totally understand this being a commercial favorite, so if you're just looking for a mostly comedic beach read, this might be for you. But if you're looking for layers, depth and nuance, I couldn't recommend this one. B-/C+
First off, I thought the synopsis gave away too much information, which sucked a lot of the tension from the opening chapters for me. And Alice losing ten years exactly makes it hard not to see the entire plot as rather sophomoric and gimmicky vs. something clever and real. Wouldn't it have been more true-to-life if she'd lost a more ambiguous amount of time...like say nearly 11 or 12 and a half years or something like that? Who gets knocked out and loses exactly the last ten years?
On the other hand, the author's pretty good at writing for comedy. I LOL a few times in the beginning; and some of the anticipated beats played out nicely, like when the effects of Alice's amnesia had clear benefits for improving circumstances with her children and in her fractured marriage.
While I think 'the younger you having the benefit of a glimpse at the older you' and vice versa was a fantastic premise, I feel it could've been executed with greater depth in the hands of a more sophisticated writer, because in the end, Alice's discoveries (and the details that she forgot) are pretty shallow and generic. The author leads you down one train of thought where Alice's marriage is concerned, then throws in a gotcha-styled "twist" that wasn't nearly as interesting, IHMO.
Oh, and the rambling POV of two other characters was included throughout the story in the form of very detailed letters...these could've easily been edited out; they become totally skimmable by the middle. But the main issue with these POVs was that every character, including Alice, seemed to think in the same cynical, ADHD, dark humor tone! Seriously...aside from the different issues they were each focused on, they may as well have been the exact same person. Not good, right?
All in all, I totally understand this being a commercial favorite, so if you're just looking for a mostly comedic beach read, this might be for you. But if you're looking for layers, depth and nuance, I couldn't recommend this one. B-/C+
Helpful Score: 1
Loved, loved, loved this book! The way the author reveals the details of Alice's life to Alice--after her fall--is perfect. What a great way to see how life's many choices--some our, some other people's--can change our life and how we don't even realize it. Wouldn't it be great if everyone had this opportunity (minus the head trauma ;-) ).
Helpful Score: 1
Alice wakes up on the floor of her gym and thinks she's in the year 1998. Actually, it's 2008 and Alice has forgotten the ten years in between. In 1998 she was happily married and expecting her first child. In 2008, she's the mother of three and in the midst of a nasty divorce. What happened in those ten years? The reader uncovers the truth, slowly, along with Alice.
I loved this book. Alice's character is funny and sympathetic, and the mystery of what happened to Alice's marriage, to her family, and to herself kept me riveted. In the end, it's a very thought-provoking story about what we expect from life and what life actually gives us--and how we come to terms with that.
I loved this book. Alice's character is funny and sympathetic, and the mystery of what happened to Alice's marriage, to her family, and to herself kept me riveted. In the end, it's a very thought-provoking story about what we expect from life and what life actually gives us--and how we come to terms with that.
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this book. It was a quick easy read but had a nice lesson. I am glad I read it.
This was my second Liane Moriatry book. What Alice Forgot is an interesting story idea - Alice falls of her spin bike in gym class and completely forgets the past 10 years of her life. This was well written and easy to follow the cast of characters.
This is a good beach book - interesting and a quick read. I would recommend this book.
This is a good beach book - interesting and a quick read. I would recommend this book.
What a great book, it draws you into the story.
It can be a bit frustrating at times because you are drawing the same conclusions. This book makes you think about the choices you have made and what if you could go back.
It can be a bit frustrating at times because you are drawing the same conclusions. This book makes you think about the choices you have made and what if you could go back.
An absolutely lovely book to listen to. I didn't want it to end. The writing was delightful, as well as the narration. I am looking for more from this author and narrator.
Can you imagine waking up and having lost ten years of your life? What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty is a Rip Van Winklish tale about a woman who finds herself on the gym floor, dazed and confused, thinking shes still 29, instead of 39. Twenty-nine is a great age. Just ask my sister, she claimed it for a decade, too. But the reality is, thats just in her mindAlice not my sister. My sister has moved onto thirty now. For Alice this wasnt a choice. She unwittingly missed ten entire years of her life. Lets face it, a LOT can happen in ten years. While hairstyles, SUVs, world events, politics are all foreign to her, Alices main focus is on the drastic changes in her personal life. When Alice was 29, she and her adoring husband Nick were awaiting the birth of their first child. They were so in love. Unbeknownst to her after that gym workout gone bad, she already had her baby and two more to boot. Thats the good news. The bad news is that their marriage has disintegrated. She and Nick are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Every now and then in her new reality she gets hints that shes not the person she thought she was. Shes now a skinny over-organizer who has to have things just so. Is she to blame for the divorce? Talk about a rude awakening. And thats not all. No stone was left unturned. Everything but her address changed. Theres a certain coolness between Alice and her sister, Elizabeth, and Alice has no idea why. Her mother is now married to her soon to be ex-father-in-law. And, who is this mysterious Gina woman who keeps creeping up in their conversations? As Alice unravels the lost years, she has to decide is her marriage worth saving, or should she forget about it. This was one of my book club selections. The ladies enjoyed the book, and though some were waiting for more action, they liked the story and the way it kept us guessing as to what was going to happen.Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was slightly convoluted and not too credible about a women losing memory of ten years of her life. Would you really forget you and your husband are divorcing? Even if you did, how can a woman forget she gave birth to three children?
The story of Alice's sister was interesting, but her grandmother Frannie's letters were something I could have done without. All she wrote about was an easy way to die when the time came, and since she was in good health and only 75, I found that very distressing and depressing. I wasn't even sure who Frannie was for awhile since I must have skimmed more than I thought.
The book was much too long and the ending was predictable. It was just an okay read.
The story of Alice's sister was interesting, but her grandmother Frannie's letters were something I could have done without. All she wrote about was an easy way to die when the time came, and since she was in good health and only 75, I found that very distressing and depressing. I wasn't even sure who Frannie was for awhile since I must have skimmed more than I thought.
The book was much too long and the ending was predictable. It was just an okay read.
I was caught up in the story in the first chapter! The characters are everyday people, and feel their struggles because your pretty sure you'v Been there too. The whole time I was reading this I kept trying to put myself in Alice's shoes. I was reminded to relish the mundane nuances of the everyday.
This book was AWESOME!!!! Great premise, and it totally lived up to the promise. Good ending, too. Loved the style, and went right out and got another of her books, The Husband's Secret, and loved that, too.
I loved the pacing of the story and how the author revealed information about the ten year gap in Alice's memory in bits and pieces. It was suspenseful enough that I could not put the book down but not so suspenseful that I got frustrated. It was also fascinating to read multiple characters perspective on why thirty-nine year old Alice is the way she is.
This book had me thinking about for days after I finished it. What would my self of ten years ago think of my self now - not knowing any of the things that have happened to me over the past ten years? I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun AND thoughtful read.
This book had me thinking about for days after I finished it. What would my self of ten years ago think of my self now - not knowing any of the things that have happened to me over the past ten years? I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun AND thoughtful read.
Really enjoyed this book - not your regular chick lit. Cannot wait to read another by this author.
really liked this story. It was set in Australia. Alice has a fall working out and when she wakes up she cannot remember the past 10 years including having her 3 children. Its a story about relationships and how they can fall apart and what we can do to mend them. I recommend this book. By the way its the June selection for my bookclub.
This is a wonderful book. I now have another author to add to my favorite's list. Her description of characters and places and thoughts they find in their hearts is wonderful. I felt like I was there living their story.
A very thought-provoking book, that was a fascinating read. Wkept me guessing from start to finish, and now I'm looking forward to the author's next book.
This was a interesting storyline, bump your head in spin class and wake up thinking it is 10 years earlier and have not clue as to why your life is not what it was.
Funny, sad, self reflection, and lots of tension, funny dialogue and a two good side stories that really keep your interest.
Funny, sad, self reflection, and lots of tension, funny dialogue and a two good side stories that really keep your interest.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick read, but raises some interesting questions. What would happen if you forgot the last 10 years of your life? I loved the way the author kept revealing plot points as the book progressed. It kept me interested until the very end.
A good story about second chances, really. What would happen if you suddenly forgot the last ten years of your life? Mine would be different, for sure. Alice wakes up not remembering her three children, for starters. As a former PTA mom, I enjoyed the interactions between the Moms (Mums). Enjoyable to read,but I did find the ending just a little contrived.
I really liked this book. I found that I related to many, many of the items discussed in the book. Really enjoyed it. Felt like the author got into my head and was vry similar to how I feel abou things. Read it via electronic iPad version on iBooks.
I loved this book and found it full of wit and wisdom. Highly recommend it.
I loved this book, I did not want to put it down!
I was not fond of the plot in this book. I found it somewhat predictable and very depressing. I am a Liane Moriarty fan, but this is my least favorite book I have read of hers.
