My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

From Goodreads: Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short. 

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together. 

This is an unusual love story written by Ann Brashares author of the well known, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants". In this story, you follow important events from mostly one character's life, Daniel. You find out how he first finds the one who strikes him as someone he wants to know to eventually the one he wants to spend all of eternity loving. Although he finds and loses her throughout the centuries, he keeps looking for her and trying to find a way to love her in whatever body he finds himself. Unfortunately, this leaves Daniel with a very one dimension type of character. This makes sense because he is not spending his time developing himself, but finding another.

 You also get glimpses of Lucy in her present life, who is a more rounded character since she has spent this life in developing herself. As things finally make their way together a climatic scene develops that transforms Daniels view of life and the lives he has lived. He must then find a way to keep from being haunted by another who shares the memories of past lives, or they may never be together no matter what life they are living. This person is intent on destroying him and now Lucy in whatever way he can. Unfortunately, I have to say that the ending is not satisfying and I warn you, it will not answer the lingering questions you have left. I do not know if there is a series potential, but I do understand this book has already been optioned for a movie.

 I give this book 3 1/2 stars. It is great to get a book that has fully observed how reincarnation is often understood and seen by various cultures. It is well written and I do hope that there is another book in the works for Lucy and Daniel. I'd love to read it. The book will be published June 1st, 2010.


I received this ARC from Lydia Hirt from Riverhead Books. No compensation was received for my honest review.