👶👶👶👶 What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty

First, I must mention that I may have a problem… I have read entirely too many books with the name “Alice” in their title: Alice in Wonderland, Still Alice, Go Ask Alice, Becoming Alice, and now, finally, What Alice Forgot. The first of these mystified me, the second terrified me, the next disgusted me, the one thereafter saddened me, and finally, this one enraptured me. Shockingly, none have disappointed me! I’m unsure what it is about the name Alice that entices both excellent authors and avid readers alike, but this particular attribute is certainly effective.

This novel was all-encompassing, and had my attention from beginning to end. It was close to a 5-star novel for me, until the climax… then something went tragically south, and the writing seemed to change, and accelerate. Perhaps there was a deadline that had to be met? Shortly after the misstep, the epilogue comes in, almost as an afterthought. It almost seemed as though Moriarty then realized how rushed the ending seemed, and attempted to rectify her mistake. By then, although the conclusion was more satisfying, it was also more artificial.

On a more positive note, I loved the novel’s message. When a novel centers on an individual taking life for granted, with harsh repercussions, it is always edifying for me. The world seen through older, more cynical eyes can be so drastically different from those of a young, naïve dreamer. I appreciated this reminder in my own life, and as with so many of Moriarty’s works, find myself pondering the story long after I’ve turned the last page.

Read 11/29/16