The Impossible Knife of Memory
Laurie Halse Anderson, Author
Viking, Fiction, Jan. 7, 2014
Suitable for Ages: 12-17
Themes: Father-daughter relationship, Family problems, PTSD, Veterans
Book Jacket Synopsis: “For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road trying to outrun the memories that haunt them both. They move back to Andy’s hometown to try a “normal” life, but the horrors he saw in the war threaten to destroy their lives. Hayley watches, helpless, as her father turns to drugs and alcohol to silence his demons. And then her own past creeps up, and everything falls apart. How do you keep your father alive when death is stalking him? What are you supposed to do when your father stops acting like an adult?”
Why I like this book: Laurie Halse Anderson’s heart-wrenching novel sensitively addresses the harsh reality of a family broken by war. Her plot is riveting and realistic. Her characters are well-developed with 17-year-old Hayley, an angry yet fragile teenager, who is dealing with very deep wounds — the death of her mother, abandonment by her father’s girlfriend, and parenting a father who suffers severe PTSD. She has watched her father go from the superhero soldier who made the world safe to the sobbing, raging and alcoholic father that she can’t depend upon. Hayley’s only school friend, Finn, brings some stability to her teenage life and the hope she can believe in someone. Finn is a quirky character that provides the welcomed comic relief to the story. The book is a timely page turner with an unexpected twist at the end. The Impossible Knife of Memory will resonate with young people, but especially those dealing with parents suffering with PTSD.
Visit Laurie Halse Anderson at her website.
Your words, “…parenting a father…” sold me, Pat. I just ordered the sample for my Kindle. My kind of book.
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Yes, it was hard for her to go from admiring her hero father, to parenting him. Very realistic ficition!
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This has been one of my favorite books so far this year.
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Yes, it has been a favorite for me.
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I agree with Coleen, it absolutely gripped me. Laurie is such an amazing writer!
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I agree too because I love realistic fiction. Laurie is an amazing author and really gets write compelling characters.
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Great review, Pat! I have to pick this one up! I’m a huge fan of Laurie Halse Anderson’s books. Tremendous writer!
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Glad you enjoyed the review Robin. The books is a page-turner with some major twists. You’ll enjoy it.
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I must read this!
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The book will not disappoint you! Keeps you on the edge until the end. Lots of twists.
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Always tackling sensitive and difficult subjects. It is so hard for a child to see a parent become reduced to a shattered fragment. Such books are so important to offer coping mechanisms and strategies, which, I’m assuming this does.
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Usually I run books about military families in May, but decided to release this review. I was so taken by this compelling story, I wanted others to read it. Laurie deals with the subject very realistically, but with sensitivity and humor. It would help a teenager coping with a similar situation. Thanks for the tweet.
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I looked at getting this book (I loved Chains). My mom thought it might be a bit too “emotional” for me, but said she’d pre-read it and see if she thought it’s be okay. I really like Ms. Anderson’s writing style.
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Glad your mother is checking it out. It is YA fiction. And, the book is very realistic! Let me know.
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I just finished Fever 1793 (great) and am reading Speak…will add this to my list thanks Pat
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Jill, you’d enjoyed this book. I loved Speak, Wintergirls, Chains and her PB Thank You Sarah. Need to finish her Seeds of America series and read Fever 1793.
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Sounds like a tough, compelling story. And this was a compelling review! Thanks.
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Thank you Rhythm. This is an important book for teens and dealing with parents returning with PTSD.
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Your blog never dissappoints. There is always a good book on here to read. IF I Didn’t have my tbr pile high already I”d add this one. If you belong to goodreads I’ll look you up and put this on my want to read pile there. I check it from time to time and actually do read books from that pile as well as ones I bring home from the library. 🙂
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Thank you Clar. This book was exceptional read. Laurie Halse Anderson really knows how to get to the core of her characters and write an unforgettable story. This one will stay with you.
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I have written the author’s name down and will look for her book in my kindle. Thanks so much for introducing her to me. 🙂
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This book will definitely touch you deeply. Very realistic fiction! You’ll enjoy the writing, Clar.
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Thanks. : )
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I’m intrigued… I really need to get cracking on my writing, but I just ordered A Snicker of Magic from the library. This one’s going to have to go on my summer reading list, lol.
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You can’t go wrong with Laurie Halse Anderson. She really writes page turners. Then ending caught me completely off guard. Loved this story too!
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