Friday 13 July 2012

Book ~ "Forgotten" (2012) Catherine McKenzie

From Goodreads ~ When everyone thinks you’re dead, how do you start your life over again? 

Emma Tupper, a young lawyer with a bright future, sets out on a journey after her mother’s death: to Africa, a place her mother always wanted to visit. But her mother’s dying gift has unexpected consequences. Emma falls ill during the trip and is just recovering when a massive earthquake hits, turning her one-month vacation into a six-month ordeal.  

When Emma returns home, she’s shocked to find that her friends and colleagues believed she was dead, that her apartment has been rented to a stranger and that her life has gone on without her. Can Emma pick up where she left off? Should she? As Emma struggles to recreate her old life, everyone around her thinks she should change – her job, her relationships, and even herself. But does she really want to sacrifice everything she’s working so hard to gain?

Can you imagine going on vacation for a month ... but because of an illness and an earthquake you don't make it back 'til six months later?  Someone else is living in your apartment, your job is no longer there, your boyfriend's phone number is no longer in service and you can't reach your best friend and just get her voicemail.  And when you do get back, you discover that everyone thought you were dead and life has moved on without you!

That's the premise of this book.

When Emma returns, she expects to pick her life back up as if she'd never left.  Dominic, who is now living in her apartment, advises Emma to use the experience to take a step back and see what is important to her ... does she really want her old life back?  She soon discovers that it's not as easy as she thought to carry on as if nothing had happened.

I enjoyed the writing style.  At times, it's funny and a bit sarcastic.  Warning:  the language is mature.  I found everything wrapped up very quickly at the end, though ... a bit too neat and tidy.

I'd never heard of Catherine McKenzie but I look forward to reading her other books.

4 comments:

Isabel said...

This sounds like a good read. I'll have to look for it.

Knit and Purl Mama said...

Catherine is a great author! She's local to me and super nice. I have loved all her novels. You should check out the other 2! Do you have an e-reader?

Teena in Toronto said...

I have a Kobo but still read books. I'll be checking out Catherine's other two books :)

Jules said...

Sounds like an interesting read, may have to check this one out for my self.