Books Download Free

List Books As The Memory Stones

Original Title:	The Memory Stones
ISBN:	0743450175 (ISBN13: 9780743450171)
Edition Language:	English

The Memory Stones Paperback | Pages: 298 pages

Itemize Based On Books The Memory Stones

Title	:	The Memory Stones
Author	:	Kate O'Riordan
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Special Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 298 pages
Published	:	March 1st 2003 by Simon & Schuster (Trade Division)
Categories	:	Family. Fiction

Narrative Conducive To Books The Memory Stones

Gentle, perceptive, beautifully written and hugely evocative, this was a lovely study of the relationship between mother and daughter across four generations.

Set largely in the west coast of Ireland, Ali and her daughter Grace have taken on the family pub, one of those places where the pub forms the front of the house and the family live out back and on top, as a result of which the pub and its customers dictate the pace of their lives. Ali has a history of drug abuse and has led a nomadic life until taking on the place after her grandmother Agnes, a true Irish matriarch, dies. But things aren't going well. Ali and Grace are rake thin and unhappy, Ali's partner, Grace's father, is suffering from a mysterious ailment, and a beautiful but threatening stranger, Adam, has moved in to the field at the bottom of the garden.

Nell, Ali's mother, has not been home since she left aged 16 and pregnant. The many reasons why, which have their root in one tragic event, are revealed slowly, as this lyrical tale unfolds and Nell works her way through the 'memory stones' which Agness collected to mark her happiest moments. Back in Paris, where Nell has made her home, her long-time lover Henri is going through his own personal crisis, and the tension of whether or not Nell and Henri will resolve their differences adds another layer to the narrative.

Not a lot happens. This is a book about the complexity of relationships that doesn't make the mistake of widespread resolution and redemption. There are some things left up in the air. Some things are finally laid to rest. And some are severed violently but not necessarily finally. I thought this was a lovely, lovely book, the kind that stays with you for ages after and makes you wonder what if, and how, and why. If there was a sequel I would devour it.

Rating Based On Books The Memory Stones

Ratings: 3.61 From 121 Users | 21 Reviews

Comment On Based On Books The Memory Stones

Excellent and thought-provoking story. Well worth the read.

I love the idea of the memory stones as depicted in this story - the story itself didn't always live up to expectations. I became quite annoyed with the back story of the sister's drowning, and really wanted to know more about the present day story - but that is a bit harsh as memory is the major theme of the story. The Irish background was beautifully written.

A fantastic, edge of your seat book to read. I touched me for I have twin sisters in my family and I just could feel the pain of the narrator revealed in the story.The author has the capacity to tell a story how it is....a must read!!

Mother-daughter to granddaughter relations and the memories surrounding them. A superiror read for me at least.

I found this book a bit of a drag and quite dull in places, but towards the end I couldn't put it down; the main character was likeable, it had some good points about being guarded and loving from a distance. My other complaint then it being boring in places, was the graphic sexual descriptions, it was really a bit gross and not necessary there was something along the lines of "she imagined herself as a giant vagina" lovely.



I was impressed by this novel from Kate O'Riordan. I love things Irish & French so this ticked those boxes. The characters are well drawn and there is a enough "mystery" to add to the very belated homecoming of our heroine to make it a good read.