“The past is never really gone. It only lies in wait for you, remembered or forgotten.”
-Sharon Cameron, The Forgetting
The Forgetting occurs every twelve years in Canaan, when everyone forgets friends, family, and memories–unless they’re written down. Everyone, that is, except Nadia. As Nadia starts to use her memories in order to solve the mysteries at the heart of Canaan, she discovers truths that will alter the structure of Canaan forever. As the Forgetting looms nearer, Nadia and Gray must figure out how to stop the threats at work in the heart of the city, before everyone forgets.
The core idea behind this novel was so fascinating to me. It explores a lot about the importance and truth behind the written word and people’s ability to manipulate the truth. At first, it seems like your typical dystopian novel; some event has happened and thrown everyone back into the Middle Ages, they’re sheltered from the rest of the world, and hidden behind a wall everyone is afraid to cross. However, when you throw in the Forgetting, everything becomes more interesting–no one knows how long they’ve been there or how long this cycle has been happening.
While the writing wasn’t necessarily the best I’ve read (it was a little repetitive at times), the characters and the plot kept me going throughout the book, and the need to understand what the Forgetting actually was. The ending was complex, filled with twists that kept me turning the pages until I finally reached the very end. Like any good first book of a series, there’s a cliff hanger that’s sure to keep you hooked for the next book (which just came out this week!).
Overall, an engaging read certain to make you think about the way the truth can be warped.
4/5 stars