The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth; a Review

Books are such powerful tools. They can take a basic topic or thought and bring a light that is inspiring, while having the capability to change a society or a reader. Each book has its own roll that it will play in our lives or in the way we view reading.  There are some books out there that make you see the world in a new light, or often they are just their to expand out imagination or to entertain us. Not all books are funny, or serious; they can be everything and all things. They are black, white, grey, purple, blue, green, and often enough will leave someone wanting more of something. Whether that something is more books or action or a desire to change, it is up to the reader. When I picked up The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth, little did I know that I would be getting more out of the book than I expected.

“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.” 

The Things We Keep is a gripping novel that will dug at your heart strings and question what you knew about love. I requested this book from St. Martin’s Press because I was intrigued of what life would be like if  you were still in the prime of your life and you lived in an Assistant Living Facility. But I soon realized that this story is so much more. Sally’s book takes the lives of two people and allows her readers to imagine that love has no boundaries, and was able to overcome any obstacle life threw at it. Her optimistic approach on the world and to her book is refreshing, and not something I come across that often or have seen done as well as Sally has written it. She has the gift of a remarkable story teller to tell the same story for various points of view without loosing the reader. From switching to different characters through out the novel, I wasn’t lost or confused by what was going on which is a true test to how amazing a writer Sally is. Her work is stunning and brings attention to a topic that wouldn’t normally be found in “younger” people. When we think of Alzheimer’s, we often see it in older generations but Sally shows us that it is possible for anyone to have it and how it would affect their lives. She wasn’t afraid to tackle serious topics, but came at it with a gentle nature, underlining humor, and a softness that is readable and delightful to experience.

My grandmother has Dementia, which is a form of Alzheimer’s, and after reading this book I feel that I have a better grasp on how my grandmother may feel about loosing her memory. I have also developed a new level of patience with her and allowing myself not to get agitated since I know she must be feeling agitated herself. Books have the ability to change the way we view the world, and with an ever growing population of people getting Alzheimer’s, Sally has taken a important topic and brought into our full attention. If you know someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s or are looking for a fantastic book, then you should consider picking up The Things We Keep. It was worth the read and I love the moments I had diving into Sally’s thoughts and world.

Buy on Amazon:The Things We Keep: A Novel

Happy Reading!

Disclaimer: I was sent The Things We Keep for free from St. Martin’s Press for an honest review. This review is of my own work, and I did not copy or refer to any other reviewers/writers/bloggers for this post. All content provided on “A Comfy Chair” is for informational purposes only. I make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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