<p>^ LOL , Who’s the optimist now ? Interesting view. How do other’s feel ???</p>
<p>One way or the other, I think the book has a weak ending. I enjoyed the book very much, so far as the descriptions of Chris’s state of mind and the tension of “what’s going to happen?” went, but some of the plot contrivances and loopholes were pretty annoying.</p>
<p>I think the author wants us to believe that everything is going to be okay in Chris’s future. </p>
<p>In a way, this story reminds me of some of the “serious children’s fiction” I read back in the mid 90s when I was a volunteer in an elementary school library. I wanted to see what some of those books were like.</p>
<p>A lot of them set up very emotionally fraught situations that actually churned my stomach. Example: A boy in a town where a big part of the culture is a yearly pigeon shoot, and boys of a certain age are supposed to help by wringing the wounded birds’ necks. The main character is a sensitive soul, dreads that day, secretly has a pet pigeon…</p>
<p>In that book, and in others I read, everything turned out okay. Yet there was such a horrific downward spiral to the story…not actual violence, but emotional distress and fear and such…that in a realistic adult version of the same story, things could not - logically - have turned out as well as they did.</p>
<p>Apparently, these books are popular because kids enjoy the angst and drama, don’t have a well enough developed sense of empathy for their stomachs to churn as an adult’s might when the adult envisions where the plot would be likely to go, and are entirely confident that everything will be tied up in a pretty, tidy package at the end, just like most kids’ movies and TV shows.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I guess what I am saying that S. J. Watson is treating his readers kind of like kids…</p>
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<p>Even my little optimistic self agrees with Mary. Christine must needs her memory back, period. Truthfully, with no memory whatsoever, Waring House might not be such a bad idea. I don’t think Christine’s inner circle will ever again be quite so offhand about her treatment - nor will Waring House. Walking off into the sunset hand-in-hand makes the ending seem too abrupt and, truthfully, unrealistic. Christine needs time to readjust and the author Watson didn’t give it to her. </p>
<p>So … Christine no longer suffers from amnesia. Memories stay out of reach but that matters little. Ben, Adam, Claire can’t help Chrissy regain memories since the time she lost really didn’t include them. I like to think all remain supportive as Christine enters life again. With time, Ben and Chrissy realize they can walk off into the sunset together - just not as quickly or as easily as the author suggests. That’s as far as my optimism takes me, guys … but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if things didn’t work out that way.</p>
<p>I’m late to the party, but…
I stayed up late to finish the book. so engrossing. I did think heavy on the moralism. If only…no affair, no abuse, no lost years, etc.</p>
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<p>And who can blame him, because it works doesn’t it? I mean, more than other books we’ve read, I gobbled this down like candy—not very good for me, but a quick and tasty treat. </p>
<p>Before I Go to Sleep doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny, but when you are in the thrall of the book, that doesn’t really matter. It did what it set out to do and did it well—look how many of us couldn’t put it down!</p>
<p>The book didn’t really “touch” me in terms of the horrors of memory loss because the characters weren’t well developed enough and the amnesia struck me as more of a tool of suspense than a study of the ailment. I’m sure that the heartbreaking Still Alice, on the other hand, would tap a much deeper level of emotion (which is probably why I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it).</p>
<p>Hello bookworm! Glad you’re here and chiming in!</p>
<p>Interesting Mary13, because the woman who told me about this book, had a brief conversation with me, and “memory loss/ identity” was what she kept thinking about after she finished the book. </p>
<p>So the “optimist” here quoting page 487.
“My son has left the room to phone his girlfriend and whisper good night to his unborn daughter, and my best friend is outside in the parking lot, smoking a cigarette. ** No matter what, I am surrounded by the people I love.” **</p>
<p>So even if Chris’s memory doesn’t return, she wakes up each morning-
no longer facing the death of her son, and that grief
no longer so islolated
no longer being told lies about a fire destroying photos</p>
<p>she will have a grandchild to meet each day anew
a friend who I believe cares for her deeply
Real Ben, who I believe is there for the duration. </p>
<p>I’m believing the “fairy tale” ends well …in either case.</p>
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<p>Perfect! (You definitely fall in the optimist camp.)</p>
<p>As an aside, I’m glad we chose Before I Go to Sleep for our Dec. discussion book. We all have lots to do in Nov/Dec. Almost everyone here has commented on how quickly they read the book and how caught up they became in the story. Sure, our discussion points out some flaws in the story line, but overall I think the author would be quite pleased with our reactions. I like variety in my reading and Before I Go to Sleep provided that. Unlike SJCM who had trouble reading the hotel room scene, I consider that a favorite part. At that point the book moved from psychological suspense to thriller, more familiar territory for me. I wanted Christine to get the heck away from Fake Ben, so felt ready for the battle to begin. Not for a second did I think that Christine might lose the battle … trust in the author, perhaps. Anyway, good book choice and good discussion going on.</p>
<p>^ Agree on all counts. And I’d add that the fact that SJCM couldn’t stand the hotel room scene (“The tension was so unbearable when Chris and Fake Ben were in the hotel, I skipped ahead to the very end to find out what happens. To end my misery. Couldn’t take it anymore!”) is quite a compliment to the author. I’m sure he couldn’t ask for a better gut response from a reader.</p>
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<p>Maybe I’m subconsciously avoiding the subject because it’s so hard to wrap my mind around. So let’s talk about it! Here is question 4:</p>
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<p>Frankly, I can’t imagine it. In such a situation, how could you become close to anyone? So many of our interactions with the people we love are based on layers and layers of memory. That’s why you can just look at your spouse across the room at a family party and know exactly what he’s thinking… It’s why you can make eye contact with a long-time co-worker at a meeting and she’ll know what just went through your head about the boss … It’s why friends speak in a sort of shorthand. One of my favorite lines from the movie ”Broadcast News” is when Aaron says to Jane, “Ok, I’ll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time.” It’s an almost nonsensical sentence that somehow expresses the depth and history of their friendship. </p>
<p>Without memories, every day would be an awkward “meet and greet” – frightening and uncomfortable for the person without memories and tortuously repetitive for everyone else. And if you had such a condition, how would it affect your personality? Would you be interesting (apart from the medical aspect) if you couldn’t remember books you’d read, places you’d been, anecdotes you’d heard? Would there be any opportunity for growth as a person?</p>
<p>Ignatius, I’m glad you’re glad that this book was chosen. I had been kind of a booster for it, and I was distressed to think that it might have been a serious disappointment to people. </p>
<p>Those of you who haven’t read “Still Alice” might find it an interesting book to compare/contrast with this one. </p>
<p>Below is sort of a SPOILER, so don’t read on if you dislike spoilers. (However, I don’t know that “Still Alice” is a book that one can really spoil in the way a mystery or a thriller could be spoiled.):</p>
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<p>SPOILER</p>
<p>The saddest part of “Still Alice” occurs when Alice can still handle many things but is painfully aware of what she is losing.</p>
<p>The story doesn’t end as bleakly as one might imagine, though. It turns out that even though Alice is not always sure who her loved ones are when they visit her, she still has positive feelings about these friendly, attractive people who drift in and out of her awareness, and she enjoys them and is grateful for their attention when they are there. A sense of pleasure and affectionate connection still exist.</p>
<p>As with a lot of good books, the value is in the details. Before reading “Still Alice,” I had thought of Alzheimer’s as nothing but a horror, pretty much. The book changed the way the way I thought about it. I realized that for at least some people, an acceptable quality of life can persist for quite some time.</p>
<p>I wrote my last post before I saw Mary’s post #128. My comments about the final part of the “Still Alice” story are relevant to Mary’s statement “Without memories, every day would be an awkward ‘meet and greet’ – frightening and uncomfortable for the person without memories and tortuously repetitive for everyone else.” </p>
<p>I’m not sure how typical the Alice story is, but in her case there could still be pleasure in interpersonal experiences even in an advanced case of Alzheimer’s.</p>
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<p>Answering my own question in light of NJTheatreMOM’s comments about Still Alice: Maybe the opportunity for growth is not meant to exist for the afflicted person, but for those who love her and care for her. They face enormous challenges.</p>
<p>Bookworm, you said, “I did think heavy on the moralism. If only…no affair, no abuse, no lost years, etc.”</p>
<p>I agree. Chris was a “bad girl.” She was punished for it.</p>
<p>Memory can be a tricky thing. I just finished a book where the main character really had to let go of painful memories in order to move forward in the present. More personally, my dear 94 y/o mother seems to recall the positive and is at a place of peace/acceptance; the negative memories are more blurry. Obviously, we need our memory…but I sometimes see it as a double-edged sword.</p>
<p>
I am glad I read it. As we have mentioned before, it certainly was a page-turner! I probably read it too fast to develop more of a sense of empathy towards Christine. There is always something to be learned from this CC group; I am hoping to participate more consistently. And, it’s been fun pointing out the various " trouble spots." :)</p>
<p>I really enjoyed this book - some parts were very well crafted - others were, as many have said, somewhat contrived. I did not care for the hotel scene. At that point I felt, as I do many times, that the author suddenly decides they need to wrap things up and hey, what would make a great movie? Honestly, so many times I feel that certain parts of a book are written with an eye to an eventual movie. </p>
<p>I think I am an optimist by nature, but somehow I don’t see Ben and Christine living happily ever after. I also don’t think any man would wait that long for a woman. I live in a condo community where there are a lot of older couples and I am constantly surprised (well, not so surprised anymore) at how quickly all of the widowers have re-married. It’s like a turnkey operation. </p>
<p>Ben and Christine had some “issues” when she was healthy, had written a book, and just had a baby. (Who has the energy for an affair when they have an infant? That for me made it seem like the author was a male. Maybe an emotional affair - but sex? I dunno). I am having a hard time picturing this working with this couple. Christine has not really matured over the years, whereas Ben has. </p>
<p>By the way - Still Alice was superb. It was so thought provoking on so many levels.</p>
<p>psychmom: How nice that your mother’s memories bring her comfort. </p>
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<p>Well said, Mary.</p>
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<p>Chrissy has, at best, weak justification for her behavior … making her all the more guilty. Personally I agree with worknprogress2: “Who has the energy for an affair when they have an infant? That for me made it seem like the author was a male. Maybe an emotional affair - but sex? I dunno.” For me, free moments veered toward much-needed sleep. An affair would not have made my to-do list … plus I was already enraptured with my little one. </p>
<p>I tucked this title away earlier as one that interested me. I do think at some point I’ll grab it. Before I Go to Sleep sharpened my interest even more - another thriller with the main character dealing with memory.</p>
<p>[Book</a> Reviews - Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante](<a href=“http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/turn_of_mind/]Book”>http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/turn_of_mind/)</p>
<p>I was thinking about this comment of Mary’s: “The book didnt really ‘touch’ me in terms of the horrors of memory loss because the characters werent well developed enough and the amnesia struck me as more of a tool of suspense than a study of the ailment.”</p>
<p>I agree with this – that the amnesia was mostly a tool of suspense. Sure, you could identify with Chris in some ways, but she certainly wasn’t deeply characterized as an entirely sympathetic person.</p>
<p>The thoughts the author gave her at the very beginning of the book, when she wakes up and sees Fake Ben in the bed beside her, may have made some readers raise their eyebrows and feel a distance from her: “So this one is not only old and gray…but also married. Not only have I screwed a married man, but I have done so in what I am guessing is his home, in the bed he must usually share with his wife…I ought to be ashamed.”</p>
<p>Not “how shameful!” but “I <em>ought</em> to be ashamed.” And the fact that Chris thinks “this one…is old and gray” implies that the youthful person, who she thinks she is, has at least a vague memory of numerous one night stands.</p>
<p>^ Great observation, NJTheatreMOM. I think you’ve found a compelling clue to question 7:</p>
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<p>The passage NJTheatreMOM quoted strongly suggests that it isn’t out of character for Christine. I’m not saying that she’s cheated on Ben before, but maybe casual sex was a regular part of her younger life before they were married. </p>
<p>And if Christine is or was promiscuous, being “punished” for that is a classic thriller/slasher theme. The following is from a university paper I found online—I chose it randomly, but you can find many similar online articles on the same concept:</p>
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<p>Christine may not die physically as a result of her promiscuity, but she experiences another kind of death. Kind of anti-feminist, isn’t it?</p>
<p>Tough crowd here.
Perhaps she had some “lovers” back in the day, and Watson needed to establish this so her reaction each morning to a STRANGE man in her bed would not be of total fear. </p>
<p>Mary13, needless to say I detest those slasher movies.
Clearly, men have dominated, and still do, the movie industry, and it’s time for that to change. </p>
<p>Like everyone here, I wasn’t sympathetic to Christine’s character, not particularly likable, but I found that just emphasized Christine’s total isolation and loneliness. A prisoner in all ways.
No one, not even ‘the reader’ cares for this lonely, lost soul.</p>
<p>I don’t think we get to know Chris well enough to say whether the affair is out of character for her. </p>
<p>Watson definitely limns her as a free spirit in college, but so many people are like that, and it adds spice to the book.</p>
<p>SJCM is right that it is a tough judgement on Chris to imply that she deserves punishment because her morals were a bit loose when she was a twenty-something.</p>
<p>In properly nuanced works of fiction, people are of course more complex. </p>
<p>Ditto on hating movies where naughty people get offed. It’s not just naughty people, though…often the nice African American character gets killed pretty early on. Or maybe the fat kid. Ugh, turns my stomach.</p>