Memories and Secrets is the story of Deborah and Ashley, a grandmother and teenaged granddaughter,
spending six weeks of the summer together at Deborah's home in western Colorado
while Ashley's father is in Europe on a business trip. Deborah can't wait for
the visit to begin, but at seventeen, the last thing Ashley wants is to be
babysat for the entire summer. As the weeks go on, the two begin reconnecting
and sharing laughter, tears, memories and more than a few secrets.
The story is written in
present tense, first person from alternating points of view between Deborah and
Ashley. This can be very difficult to
pull off well, but Winger accomplishes it with exceptional flourish. Both
characters confront personal demons and fears, learning to lean on each other
the way family are meant to. Overall Memories and Secrets is a very good and easy read. It is well-written, engaging and
hard to put down. The drama is palpable and the emotion visceral. The internal
and external dialogue, particularly for Deborah, is both natural and
convincing.
At times, Ashley's attitude
and comments seem a bit too mature and sophisticated for a modern seventeen
year old (e.g. "flailed taking geometry" or "Spartan
offering") and some of her teenage activities with her peers (e.g. the
limbo) seem a bit dated (Winger states she based some of it on her own teenage
memories). Likewise, the detailed descriptions of rock climbing and mathematical
procedures briefly slowed the pace. Ashley also seemed to get over her fear of
heights a bit too easily. However, these are very minor complaints.
A more serious issue is the
time-frame in which the story is meant to take place. The technology and
structure of the story led this reviewer to think that the main action occurs
in the present time. However, the epilogue and seeming inconsistency between
Deborah's age and what she did as a teenager and young adult (dancing "The
Twist" or to Johnny Mathis") seem to suggest that this might not be
the case. But again, this is hardly a fatal flaw.
Regardless, Memories and Secrets is a strong novel
about loss, remorse and love. It shows a magical journey of discovery taken by
two women long-separated by distance, time, secrets and a fifty year age gap.
It is well worth reading.
5 out of 5 stars
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