Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Before I Go To Sleep: A Novel / by S.J. Watson


"The Bedroom is strange. Unfamiliar. I don't know where I am, how I came to be here. I don't know how I'm going to get home."

Recurring amnesia is a serious issue with Christine, such a problem that even when she 'knows' the who, where and why, she's still suspicious. Every morning her husband Ben must explain everything about her past, her present and the condition caused by a trauma, an accident some time ago. Recently her work with a new doctor has given Christine the idea to document her the important, key facts in her life, reminding her of things she may not know or remember but which could make or break the rest of her life. Keeping track of daily events, with and without her husband's knowledge, Christine begins piecing things about her story together and some things don't add up, like certain details surrounding her accident. When she one day finds a note-to-self with "Don't Trust Ben" written on it, Christine's situation becomes far more serious than just loss of memory.

This is a very entertaining book, a suspense driven psychological thriller with enough substance to leave readers thinking. Watson digs to the very soul of Christine's problem and, at the same time, to the very soul of truth and existence. The narrative structure isn't the easiest and readers might have a difficult time piecing the mystery together even after reading it, but its a plot driven story with twists at every page, a compelling story and wonderful debut novel. More than a few movie fans may remember the film 2000 Memento starring Guy Pearce, based on an originalshort story by Jonathan Nolan, brother of director Chris Nolan, will reconnect with the synopsis about an individual whose memory is swept away each new day. But with Watson's novel, there is so much more to the character and the story. (FIC WATSON)

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