Remember to Forget, a gripping and thought-provoking memoir that inspires as it teaches with all the skillful pacing of a psychological suspense novel.
What weapons do we have to defend ourselves against deeply hidden assaults from the past? Without the fragments of memory linked together into a full picture of our personal history, we may remain helpless victims.
Sex permeates Vernetta's traumatic young life while living with her single mother and older sister. The chaos of life with Mother and her alcohol-fueled anger emerges in Vernetta's adult years as a suicidal-depression that propels her into therapy where conflicted personality fragments introduce themselves. Within months, dissociated-forgotten memories of sexual trauma are manifested by severe, incapacitating physical experiences. However, through it all, Vernetta manages to continue her relationship with Mother.
After Mother's death, the picture of a stately house that Mother burned down at age fifteen motivates Vernetta's search for answers to lingering questions, her final pathway to wellness. Why did Mother deliberately burn down her family home? she asks herself. What is the truth of why baby brother Buddy was suddenly gone? Why was Mother so angry? Although the search plunges Vernetta into Mother's murky past, the difficult answers bring restorative healing.
Review :
Remember to Forget by Amelia V. Sinclair
Reviewed by: Readers' Favorite - K.C. Finn
Review Rating: 5 Stars
This is a gripping memoir, emotionally intense and thought provoking with all the skillful pacing of a psychological suspense novel. The exploration of the profound impact of childhood trauma on the adult life of Vernetta, the protagonist, is both harrowing and enlightening, offering insight into the complexities of trauma recovery, including dissociative episodes, sexual abuse and suicidal depression. The narrative is a reminder of the power of the human mind and the importance of confronting the past to find peace and closure. Remember to Forget is an inspiring read, which anyone with similar issues will no doubt find comforting and helpful.
Remember to Forget by Amelia V. Sinclair
Reviewed by: Readers' Favorite - D. Zape
Review Rating: 5 Stars
Sinclair's memoir is captivating; a compelling narrative about healing from the impact of past experiences. From the haunting memories of childhood trauma to the tender moments of connection with her mother in the face of illness, each scene is ingeniously rendered. Sinclair's prose is gorgeous. The author excels at crafting engaging dialogues and infusing the writing with drama. One of the most striking aspects is Sinclair's exploration of generational trauma and its ripple effects on familial relationships. Remember to Forget is a memoir that reads like fiction-nuanced and utterly captivating but filled with lessons.
Edward M. White, Ph.D.Los Angeles Times Book Reviewer
In my decade of reviewing current fiction for the Los AngelesTtimes, I rarely came across a first novel that aroused the enthusiasm of Remember to Forget. It is a powerful dramatization of psychological damage and recovery with both literary and therapeutic value.
Claire Mulligan, editor Readers of best-selling memoirs such as The Glass Castle and Educated will be drawn to Remember to Forget. It is a memoir of trauma and hope and one that you will never forget.
