First of all, phew, could that title get any longer? (Don’t answer that.)
Thank you Text Publishing Australia for the ARC. (I hug this book, I do, I do.)
The Impossible Knife of Memory came out on January 7th, 2014.
For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.
Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.
All I’m going to say is this: This book is amazing. Feels wrenching. Sniffle inducing. Everyone should read it and cry.
Okay, goodbye.
I’m just kidding. Do you really think I wouldn’t give you reasons? Ha! I love reasons. And I’m allowed to be totally logical in this review (despite the fact that it’s an emotional roller-coaster) because the dog’s name was Spock.
Characters? I confess to not liking the narrator, Hayley, at the beginning. Not only does she have a name more common than Sue (poor girl), she’s a real snark. Not the endearing kind. The kind that pushes people away, has a smart comeback for everything, and believes she doesn’t need help from anyone. NO. Bad Hayley, bad. Of course you need help from Finn and his falling apart car. After the onslaught of cheesy math jokes…you need each other.
But Hayley grew on me. She has a reason to be like a prickly bush. At the end, I really admired her.
Finn? Oh, I’m glad you brought him up. He’s a very sensible young chap. I approve of characters who treat others with respect AND have a fabulous sense of humour. Finn was “adorkable” and sweet and had ambitions for the future BEYOND kissing a girl (my gosh, aren’t the characters getting intelligent now days? Bless ’em). I shipped these two very hard.
It’s not all about romance. Let’s not forget Hayley’s dad who suffers from PTSD and has been known to weild an axe at her not-boyfriend-Finn. I really appreciated the way the author handled the topic! It was well written and very interesting. I felt the emotional turmoil, the struggle, the believe that “tomorrow will be better” even when it won’t be. It was written with a lot of feeling.
Which brings us to the writing. In a word? Beautiful. I love the style and voice! Hayley, crabby stingray though she is, really worked under my skin with her detailed and prone-to-panic even though she’s super-tough-girl voice.
Buuut, every once in a while, we had these mini-chapter-flashbacks. At least, I assumed they were flashbacks. I had no idea who was narrating them. They were kind of confusing and always threw me out of the story. Why where they there?!
The story putters along at peanut-butter-speed (that’s opposite to break-neck-speed if you haven’t heard the term before, and you wouldn’t have, because I invented it). But I am a HUGE fan of the super short chapters!
Oh, and one last thing! The ending was way too happy. I’m just saying! You could have wrapped a bow on it. Disgustingly satisfying. Now excuse me while I sob in happy feels…
Cait has read 25 books this year. That’s 1/4 of her reading goals. That’s highly ambitious of her. Besides reading, she’s plotting the best tactical plan of getting to the library sale next week. If it starts at 9:30, she should be there by 9:28, right? Currently she’s reading THE LAST THIRTEEN series and pulling her hair out in frustration.
Is it bad that I read *a lot* and yet one of my favorite things ever is reading your blog? Even though I don't think I've read more then about two of the same books as you, and probably never will, reading your take on books is SO. MUCH. FUN. Like, where I just sit here laughing and re-reading your posts. Kinda scary how much I like it…
I have read so many good reviews, can't wait to read this knee!
I bought this book and will read it soon. I was told to keep a box or two of Kleenex next to me whilst reading it. Fab review!
This book sure has a lot of positive reviews 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed it, and some of the things you mentioned in your review made me think I'd like it too. Awesome review 🙂
YAY! We need a happy ending for these types of books that sound really intense and emotional. Lovely review Cait!
I was just about to write my review for this! But then I got distracted…I tend to do that…this emergen-C drink stuff is weird and very purple…Oh right! Hi.As usual I agree with pretty much everything you had to say! I was a little dissapointed that this book didn't tug on my heartstrings that much let alone as much as I had anticipated, but maybe it was just me. Maybe I have recently lost my soul or the 19 degree temperatures around here finally got to my heart and froze it solid, I don't know. I did LOVE Finn though I shipped them so freaking hard it hurt. I loved their personalities combined and their senses of humor ohmygoodness! <3 I may have shipped myself with Finn as a plan B if Finley didn't work out…
Seriously, Aidyl, this comment made my day. YOU ARE SO NICE. THANK YOU. *hugs comment* This means a lot of a lot. XD 🙂
I'm thinking you meant to write "one", but I won't judge a knee before I've read it either.
It's definitely tear worth, though I'm like a frost giant and barley ever crack a real tear. Just the fake kind. Lots of dry sobbing.
It was really nice! And refreshing too! I like it when I can go for the couple instead of wincing when they fall into insta-love or something. Glad you liked my review!! Aww! That makes me so happy! 🙂
Thanks, Jeann!! I was pretty happy with it. 🙂 I was worried I wouldn't like it…I sometimes get bored, but NOPE. This was excellent and held my attention the whole time.
Oh great! I can't wait to read your review…I love comparing thoughts. 🙂 But, gah, isn't it hard to write reviews sometimes? Gosh, somedays I just CAN'T. Whether I liked it or not…egh, It's just my brain is off doing something else (day dreaming most likely). It's possibly that you're heart is frozen, you know. Do you have a sister? She should hug you if you do. PS. Seriously, this is a secret, but I'm with you on Finn…there might be a line…
I had to skim your review since I'm reading this soon..I love the gif you used at the end! I actually just watched the movie not too long ago.Lovely review, Cait! <33
I really love Easy A. Every time I watch it I bust up laughing. 😉
Why haven't I read this yet?!? I've had an ARC since last year but just couldn't find the time and now I think it sounds perfect for me and I need to read it! I think there's audio, which is probably how I'll end up getting to it. I bet it's even better on audio. Books that make me cry usually are. The dog's name is Spock – LOVE – and the boy's name is Finn – LOVE EVEN HARDER. I ship it already! =) Thanks for the awesome review…I am convinced that I must read this ASAP.
It's impossible to go wrong with a dog named SPOCK, seriously. XD And Finn…Finn is quite adorable and I'm quite happy to ship him with Hayley (buuut, if she doesn't want him…I'm flexible with other options XD). Definitely read it!
I really enjoyed your review, even though I didn't enjoy the book that much. I completely agree with the end, it was far too happy for me. I thought Finn & Hayley were a train wreck because they rarely had a real conversation with each other even when they really needed to. Great review though, and I love the gifs 😉
It was very closed off, the end. I mean, I like that for closure for a reader, but real life leaves a lot of stuff hanging…like your life doesn't usually sort out EVERYTHING in just one year. I think Hayley needs Finn in her life. But they'll probably need counselling. 😉
I just bought this one today! I'm so excited to finally read this one! Everyone loves it so far!! And what an interesting synopsis, UGH! Can't wait..Lisa http://www.turningpages94.blogspot.com
Ooh! I'm really keen to read your review now! I've seen some mixed reviews for it, but overall, yup, it's pretty loved. 🙂
Peanut butter speed! Yes! I love the term. 🙂 Because peanut butter is awesome.This sounds like a good book. I'm liking the way the characters sound.