Book Review: Before i go to sleep, by S. J. Watson

               Published: 02 January 2012                Format: Paperback 384 pages                Categories: Contemporary Fiction...


               Published: 02 January 2012
               Format: Paperback 384 pages
               Categories: Contemporary Fiction   
               Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. 

"As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me." 
 
     ❝ REVIEW
     My first mistake was that i read it in my native language and not the one it was originally written in. Never do that. Many times it will feel like it was not even written by the same author and the words slowly lose their meaning in translation. I'm positive that if i had read this in English, i would've enjoyed it more.
    However. I did finish it within a week. So not all hope was lost.
    The story begins with Christine having no recollection of where she is. She doesn't recognize the room she's in, has no idea how she got there and wants to go home. But... where exactly is her home?
    There's a man there too, with an engagement ring and when Christine sees it, all she can do is loathe herself for being with a married man. He's sleeping though, so she goes to the bathroom and what she sees there, terrifies her.
    That is how every day of her life begins ever since she had an accident. The man, Ben, has to keep reminding her of who she is and that she's, in fact, at home. The story began to appeal to me though when she started seeing a doctor behind Ben's back and she starts having a crush on him. Despite her age, Christine's soul is still young, still able to have feelings as powerful as one has in his teen years. Personally, this side-story  - let's call it - between these two is my personal favorite and would've loved to see more coming from it.
    While the story keeps growing and growing, questions are raised. Did she pursue her dream to write? How did she live all these years? Does she have friends and if yes, why don't they contact her? The state she was in, the accident, Ben, all is revealed when the time is right. Or is it? At a certain point, Christine can't even trust herself. Whose story will you trust?
    I believe it was truly an interesting book to read and the story evolved pretty quickly. There are twists and clues and a very unexpected ending. 

Coffee lover above all. Casually forgetting about responsibilities because ignorance is bliss. Forever procrastinating.

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4 comments

  1. BookStacksOnDeckMarch 10, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    This book sounds amazing! Thanks for the great review! I know what you mean about losing the writing style through translation - that's a downer, but glad you were still able to enjoy it! :D

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    1. NagaMarch 10, 2012 at 6:09 AM

      Thank you so much for the comment! ^^ It's my first review, so it's quite... raw.
      It is a good book nonetheless.. i did enjoyed it :)

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  2. Giselle @ Book Nerd CanadaMarch 11, 2012 at 12:17 AM

    I have this book to read on my shelf and haven't read it but your review makes me want to pick it up. It sounds like it'd be a great movie. I'm excited :)
    ------
    Giselle @ booknerd.ca

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    1. NagaMarch 11, 2012 at 12:42 AM

      Really?? Well I'm glad you liked the review! Please tell me what you thought of it after you finish it, I'd hate you read a book that you didn't like because of my review ^^'

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