The things we keep

I'm so lucky to have receivers an arc (advanced readers copy) of The things we keep by Sally Hepworth, from Net galley.

This book is an amazingly powerful read, about the power of love even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

The story centres around Anna and Luke, two relatively young characters who are dealing with the devastating reality of early onset Alzheimer's.

We meet Anna early on in the disease and travel with her as her memories and understanding of the world around her begins to fade. 

Sally deals with this sensitive topic so well and in a way I've never seen before. Her characters are incredibly believable from the off and her ability to guide you through the mindset of an Alzheimer sufferer is amazing. 

Simple things, like their struggle with depth perception and the huge array of areas that create confusing within the mind of the Alzheimer sufferer really opens your mind to the reality of this terrible disease. 

It was even more, enlightening to me, given that my own nan is currently suffering from Alzheimer's.

I feel the book was incredibly well researched. I've read a few books around this theme but nothing that I felt captured the disease quite so accurately as Sally has managed to do.

I also like how Sally mingled Anna and Luke's story with Clementines and Eve's as well as a whole host of other bit players such as Bert and his invisible wife, Myrna, as well as the lovely elderly couple Clara and Laurie.

By doing this, Sally is able to portray love in its many forms. The ups, downs and in-betweens. Her ability to do this in such an amazingly accurate, believable and though provoking way, stands as a testament to her extraordinary talent as a writer. One that I can now wholehearted add to my list of all time favourites. 

As a result of Sally's incredible ability with words, The things we keep will not only be a book that remains firmly rooted in my mind for years to come, but it's depiction of Alzheimers and its effects on the brain, will help me to better understand this disease and all who suffer from it. 

In short, if there is a book that I feel everyone should read at least once in their lives, it's this one.

If you're interested in reading the things we keep by Sally Hepworth, it is due for publication on the 19th of January 2016 by St. Martins press. 

If you want to know more about this book you can find the blurb below.

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.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have, be sure to leave your thoughts and feelings below in the comments. 

Love and hugs 

Joss xx