27 April 2022

Quicksand of Memory is an intense, edge of your seat read that digs into one man’s guilt and siblings’ eagerness for revenge. While showing just how hard it can be to put your past behind you and build a new life. This is a book that will keep you reading while reflecting on actions and consequences.

Michael J Malone tells this story from the various character’s points of view and moves between present and past as he gently reveals the truth. The story circles around a family in a poor community of Glasgow, who live a life consumed by alcohol and abuse. The author highlights how vastly opinions can differ. In this story, he has four characters whose lives were touched by one young man, and each one knew him as a different person. They have difficulty accepting each other’s memories of this person as each one has a completely different picture of this man.

Luke Forrest has worked very hard to put his past behind him. He has tried to better himself and wants to help others deal with their difficulties. When his girlfriend died, she asked him to raise her son, and Luke is determined to do right by this little boy – even if he isn’t his son. The child has no one else and Luke adores the child.

When Luke meets a new woman and decides that he is ready to move on, it seems his life is starting to fall apart.

Jenna works in a book store, despite her education which her mother loves to remind her about. When she meets Luke, there is something about him she cannot resist. But Jenna has had some bad experiences with men in the past, and when her make’s carer quits – no one can handle the sharp tongue of Jenna’s mom for very long, she is forced to take leave from the book shop and look after her mother herself. This leaves Jenna with too much time on her hands and her past starts to haunt her. Remembering a little too much, and when she finds out that Luke, her new love interest has some secrets, her world starts spiralling out of control.

Amidst all the confusion, Luke bumps into Jamie, the little brother of Danny – Luke’s old friend from his youth. Only Danny was never really a friend, and Luke struggles to decide how much of what he knows about Danny he should share with Jamie. The young man is troubled, and Luke wants to help him. However, each time Jamie is finally going to open up, something happens to cause Jamie to raise the walls around him again.

As the truth about their pasts collides, these characters have some harsh facts to face, can they accept each other’s truth?

I found myself drawn to these characters, they had rough lives and made some questionable choices. Yet each one had a vulnerability about them that draws you to them. The author did a fantastic job with his characters. Allowing you to see them warts and all and still manage to love them.

Initially, I did not like any of the characters in this book. Jenna felt a little unrealistic, her expectation seemed unreasonable and I felt she was not in touch with reality. However, as her story developed, I found myself feeling sorry for her. This woman had a lot on her plate, and her bad decisions in youth haunt her as she has never dealt with those feelings. She really could use a good therapist.

My heart broke for Luke. He made his share of mistakes, lived an unsavoury life and ended up paying the price. Yet he worked hard to change things, to leave his part behind and become a better person. His love and devotion for the little boy showed his commitment to bettering himself.

When his past comes knocking and his world is suddenly pulled apart, I thought everyone was way too harsh in their judgement. The man was trying – there was never a moment’s doubt about that. This guy was beautifully written, the author managed to bring this man to life and keep him realistic.

There is no doubt, that I loved this story. It was emotional, thought-provoking and full of just enough twists to keep you eager to keep reading.  I enjoyed every second of reading this book and highly recommend this one.

If you enjoy a book that is thought-provoking, emotional and full of surprises then you will not be disappointed when you pick this title. You are guaranteed an entertaining read that will leave you judging the characters for their actions and quickly picking sides as the story is revealed.