Publisher: Mira
Date published: November 2008
ISBN: 978-0778325840
Historical Fiction
Hardcover
Obtained by: Library
Reviewed by Gina
Months after the devastating death of photo journalist Josh Ryan, Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Society still seeks to help those that struggle with past life memories and, at the same, time, discovery of the illusive memory tools. Throughout her whole life, Meer has been haunted by snippets of music that reside at the fringes of her memory. Despite hearing all variety of music, the song that pricks at her memory remains hidden. In her soul she knows if she but once could hear it she would not only know it, but the peace that she has longed for would finally come. Despite his best efforts, her father’s long time friend and associate Malachi has been unable to help her. She has but a glimmer of hope when her father, Jeremy Logan, a world renowned archeologist, sends her a photograph from Vienna. The photograph depicts a box that strongly resembles the very one Meer has drawn over and over throughout her life with one exception. She journeys to Vienna with the hope of unlocking her past…not her past in this life, but other lifetimes. What she finds in the city of the world’s greatest musicians is not the answer to the dreads, as she calls them, that have followed her throughout her life. Instead she finds death and a torrent of sadness and mystery that all but overwhelm her.
Famous Viennese lead oboe player Sebastian Otto has watched his young son fall deeper and deeper into a dark abyss with demons only the boy can see and hear. Day in, day out, he sits and mutters words only he can know. As Jeremy has done before him, Sebastian looks for the answer that might return his son from his dark night. As death follows them, Meer and Sebastian seek out a long ago mystery Beethoven left behind that could unveil past lives. As each clue is unveiled Meer begins to wonder more and more just why the maestro chose to hide the long held secret.
If you had told me after I read THE REINCARNATIONIST that that story was merely an appetizer for the intensity of M.J. Rose’s writing I would not have believed you. THE MEMORIST leaves her first book in this series far behind. It does not take away from THE REINCARNATIONIST, rather it adds yet another dimension to a compelling story. Ms. Rose takes her readers on a journey not only into Vienna’s old streets, but standing quietly beside you, it’s secrets are given up. Through her character’s eyes and words you are made part of the mystery as it unfolds. There were times as I read THE MEMORIST I was certain I could hear the keys of the music woven throughout the story.
Meer is an intense character to read. Though the turns and valleys of her life are just a few days time in the story, she knows what it is like to stand on the precipice of the abyss of believing and at the same time doubting reincarnation exists. She desperately wants to find some real world explanation for her dreams, fears, the ghost like images that taunt her from behind an unseen fog. She fights the belief that she has lived before, yet if she did not, how can she know the things she does. You do not have to believe in reincarnation to understand and enjoy this marvelously told tale. Ms. Rose tells some of the most richly intriguing stories of our time.
Ms. Rose hypnotizes her reader with language so intensely flavored you savor it long after the last page is turned.
THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.
Date published: November 2008
ISBN: 978-0778325840
Historical Fiction
Hardcover
Obtained by: Library
Reviewed by Gina
Months after the devastating death of photo journalist Josh Ryan, Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Society still seeks to help those that struggle with past life memories and, at the same, time, discovery of the illusive memory tools. Throughout her whole life, Meer has been haunted by snippets of music that reside at the fringes of her memory. Despite hearing all variety of music, the song that pricks at her memory remains hidden. In her soul she knows if she but once could hear it she would not only know it, but the peace that she has longed for would finally come. Despite his best efforts, her father’s long time friend and associate Malachi has been unable to help her. She has but a glimmer of hope when her father, Jeremy Logan, a world renowned archeologist, sends her a photograph from Vienna. The photograph depicts a box that strongly resembles the very one Meer has drawn over and over throughout her life with one exception. She journeys to Vienna with the hope of unlocking her past…not her past in this life, but other lifetimes. What she finds in the city of the world’s greatest musicians is not the answer to the dreads, as she calls them, that have followed her throughout her life. Instead she finds death and a torrent of sadness and mystery that all but overwhelm her.
Famous Viennese lead oboe player Sebastian Otto has watched his young son fall deeper and deeper into a dark abyss with demons only the boy can see and hear. Day in, day out, he sits and mutters words only he can know. As Jeremy has done before him, Sebastian looks for the answer that might return his son from his dark night. As death follows them, Meer and Sebastian seek out a long ago mystery Beethoven left behind that could unveil past lives. As each clue is unveiled Meer begins to wonder more and more just why the maestro chose to hide the long held secret.
If you had told me after I read THE REINCARNATIONIST that that story was merely an appetizer for the intensity of M.J. Rose’s writing I would not have believed you. THE MEMORIST leaves her first book in this series far behind. It does not take away from THE REINCARNATIONIST, rather it adds yet another dimension to a compelling story. Ms. Rose takes her readers on a journey not only into Vienna’s old streets, but standing quietly beside you, it’s secrets are given up. Through her character’s eyes and words you are made part of the mystery as it unfolds. There were times as I read THE MEMORIST I was certain I could hear the keys of the music woven throughout the story.
Meer is an intense character to read. Though the turns and valleys of her life are just a few days time in the story, she knows what it is like to stand on the precipice of the abyss of believing and at the same time doubting reincarnation exists. She desperately wants to find some real world explanation for her dreams, fears, the ghost like images that taunt her from behind an unseen fog. She fights the belief that she has lived before, yet if she did not, how can she know the things she does. You do not have to believe in reincarnation to understand and enjoy this marvelously told tale. Ms. Rose tells some of the most richly intriguing stories of our time.
Ms. Rose hypnotizes her reader with language so intensely flavored you savor it long after the last page is turned.
THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.
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