The Things We Keep

By: Sally Hepworth

Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only 38 years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted-living facility. She also knows there's just one another resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother, she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind House. When she meets Anna and Luke, she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

©2016 Sally Hepworth (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

sad but interesting

loved the book.. it was sad but very good I recommend this read and tissues

What a great unexpected story

I loved the way the story is told from differing viewpoints and how I found myself caught up in emotions throughout the entire book. So happy this was my introduction to Sally Hepworth. Can’t wait to see what I find next from her.

Oh my!

What a touching, beautiful book!
Anna and Luke will forever have a special place in my heart.

Beautiful

As a dementia caretaker, this story was heartwarming and heartbreaking in understanding some of what my mother may be going through. The care that’s taken in the development of each character is beautiful. I’m sure this will be one of my favorite stories for a while to come.

Well done on all fronts!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Things We Keep to be better than the print version?

I listened to this book several months ago, and it has stayed with me. I highly recommend it. Somehow the author seemed to get into the mind of someone who feels as tho they're losing theirs.

Any additional comments?

I hope the author is writing another one!

Adult "The Fault in Our Stars" with many twists

What made the experience of listening to The Things We Keep the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed how the stories all tied in together, but Anna's was my favorite.

What other book might you compare The Things We Keep to and why?

The Fault in our Stars is the most obvious comparison, in my opinion, but I also saw traces of The Notebook. The author also reminded me a bit of Lisa Genova & her gift to share a story about disease that is informative, but yet also keeps the story going to you get the "journey" experience. I love that quality!

Have you listened to any of Barrie Kreinik and Therese Plummer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Therese Plummer is one of my favorite narrators. She has such a natural ability that seems effortless.

If you could take any character from The Things We Keep out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Eh... that's a very difficult question because I really loved Anna as a character, but you did really get to know her in the book, so maybe it would be some of the other older gentlemen who would have great stories and life lessons to teach. I have such a big place in my heart for the old and wise.

I absolutely love this book!

This is one of the best books I've ever read or listened to. Highly recommend!

Heartbreaking, Humanizing, and Real

The Things We Keep is a beautiful work on the tenacity of life through hardship. It's characters are memorable and relatable - despite their unique circumstances. However, this book is not for the faint of heart. It is a stark and poignant look at tragedy in forms both familiar and unfamiliar. I cried several times - and at one point I had to pause the audiobook and walk away, because I could not handle what was unfolding ahead of me.

In terms of performance, the Berrie Kreinik and Therese Plummer do a wonderful job. Our three viewpoint characters have distinct voices, performed with a level of nuance that you will find yourself completely immersed.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who know or wish to understand better the mentally ill. This will open your eyes to the value of human experience in all forms, to the rich lives that those society so often dismisses continue to live.

Sweet

Very sweet book about love and loss combined with an emotion tied to the horrible disease called Alzheimer's.

Bitter Sweet

Some parts of the story were heartbreaking because of the Alzheimer's disease progression (I've seen it up close) but the other parts of the story were just disappointing. I want to see bullies get punished for their behavior. This is a novel, not a documentary! Get the bad guys! I would have liked to have a more complete ending. I will still listen to another Sally Hepworth book though, this wasn't an ender for me.