She was born for all the wrong reasons. But her search for the truth reveals answers she wishes she could bury in Forget Me Not, a suspenseful and deeply moving near-future thriller from the author of The Last One.“A page-turning mystery . . . highly original, sharply insightful, and thoroughly riveting.”—Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of A Good MarriageWhat if your past … bestselling author of A Good Marriage
What if your past wasn’t what you thought?
As a child, Linda Russell was left to raise herself in a twenty-acre walled-off property in rural Washington. The woods were her home, and for twelve years she lived oblivious to a stark and terrible truth: Her mother had birthed her only to replace another daughter who died in a tragic accident years before.
Then one day Linda witnesses something she wasn’t meant to see. Terrified and alone, she climbs the wall and abandons her home, but her escape becomes a different kind of trap when she is thrust into the modern world—a world for which she is not only entirely unprepared, but which is unprepared to accept her.
And you couldn’t see a future for yourself?
Years later, Linda is living in bustling Seattle, but she has never felt more alone. With social media more ubiquitous than ever before, she is hounded by the society she is now forced to inhabit. When Linda meets a fascinating new neighbor who might just be a potential friend, and who shows her the possibility of a new escape through virtual reality, she begins to allow herself to hope for more by being sucked into a world that feels safe, but isn’t real.
What would it take to reclaim your life?
Then an unexplained fire at her infamous childhood home jolts Linda back to reality. She must return to the property for the first time since she was a girl, unleashing a chain of events that will not only endanger her life but challenge her understanding of family, memory, and the world itself.
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For the first 12 years of her life, Linda Russell was kept in a walled off forest property with no other people around except for her mother and her twin sister. And one day her mother took her sister away. For these 12 years, Linda was unaware that she had born solely due to replace another sister who had died tragically years before.
(BOOK BLURB) Then one day Linda witnesses something she wasn’t meant to see. Terrified and alone, she climbs the wall and abandons her home, but her escape becomes a different kind of trap when she is thrust into the modern world—a world for which she is not only entirely unprepared, but which is unprepared to accept her.
Part psychological fiction / part mystery / futuristic thriller / it is well written with characters that are outstanding. It’s a delicate balancing act as Linda in clearly in the here and now, yet a part of her is still that young child in the forest …. feeling as though she belongs nowhere. There are a few surprises along the way … some twists and turns that keep the reader captivated. With one foot in the present, one foot in past, will she ever learn where she belongs?
Many thanks to the author / Random House Publishing – Ballantine / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most interesting novel. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
3.5 STARS
Forget Me Not is an emotional read. I experienced a full range of emotions from sadness to anger and occasionally even happiness. The pace stalled in some points and in others it raced. The author is skillful in character development and attempts a lot with the plot. I found the alternate realities really pushing the envelope for me to follow along and enjoy the read. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I found there were unnecessary plotlines that drew my attention away for the main story. While this wasn’t the book for me if you like a unique story with a lot going on take a chance on Forget Me Not.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is an odd story which seems to address a story of “cloning”. The story is somewhat difficult to follow as it is a semi futuristic tale. The whole “clone girl” story becomes complicated to the point of feeling uneventful.
Linda Russell lives an extremely anxious existence under the watchful eye of her father Arthur Neiquist who is a wealthy man left to protect his daughter when his first wife dies. Through vague memories Linda’s past seems to reveal itself it her where she recalls her unconventional childhood. She remembers her mother, Lorelei, as a lively woman who raised her and her twin sister Emmer outdoors where they slept in trees. Some of her memories trouble her especially those that involve the disappearance of her twin sister Emmer.
As an adult, Linda lives an isolated but protected existence funded by her father. She wears a “sheath” on her arm as many people do in this time era. Her sheath is programmed to record her daily mandated activities, such as talk a walk outside everyday. It also provides a method for Arthur to check in on her to ensure she has everything she needs.
One day Linda is approached by a new neighbor in her building, Anvi Hendrickson, a purple haired woman 29 year old from New Jersey. Linda becomes intrigued by the woman and eventually learns that Anvi is older than her and a PhD student at Cornell. Although difficult to trust people, Linda starts to feel comfortable sharing and spending time with Anvi.
It’s only when Linda receives alarming news from Arthur that her childhood home was set on fire, that Linda is determined to fill in the blanks of her memory. Linda is astonished and confused with the story that is revealed to her about her childhood. It questions everything she thought she knew about her parents and childhood. It seems everyone else knew more about her than she did herself.
This was an interesting story that bridged the gap of what it is to be human and technology. I did enjoy the VR and the real world in this story. But something of it just didn’t grip like I was hoping. I do think that some readers will fall hard for this one though. But maybe check this one out at the library before committing.
Very interesting story. A somewhat futuristic plot line.
Not at all what I thought it would be but after I decided to keep going on reading it, it became a bit more interesting. Eclectic characters and a protagonist that seemed to have nothing going for her but yet you find yourself rooting for her at the same time.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Ballantine and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over: https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/category/reviews/
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
Let me start by saying I had trouble putting this book down. I made excuses to read just a little more because the characters are fascinating. This is a hard story to classify. It has elements from thrillers, cold case examinations, relationships, and the effect of technology on society to name a few. Despite this, it’s easy to read. Whether Linda’s struggling to integrate with a society she doesn’t understand or Anvi’s on the hunt for some new tidbit not to share but just to explore, these elements are a natural extension of the story. These two are the main characters, each offering a different perspective of the near future world they live in.
Linda broke free of her isolated childhood, revealing herself torn and bloodied to a world, and a father, that didn’t know she existed. Her life story went viral when it came out her mother had Linda to replicate a sister who died. It’s been twelve years, but in that time, she’s had little success finding a place in the modern world. Linda longs to return to her feral upbringing rather than navigate the complexities of social interaction. If anyone recognizes her, she’ll have to create a new safe space to avoid being hounded by a social media full of morbid curiosity seekers or those after her money. Which skips over the fanatics who believe Linda is a cloned abomination of nature rather than artificially inseminated. Free will is more of a burden than a gift to Linda. The smallest of decisions are overwhelming, and likely to go wrong, because she lacks the necessary framework.
Anvi might be the more “normal” voice, but she’s also the view of social media. She is an extrovert who doesn’t shy away from strangers and who asks potentially uncomfortable questions. In her point of view, though, we see her ponder many of the problematic issues with social media. Anvi sees the need for a responsible voice in the heart of it. She’s driven by her studies of disinformation spread during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the pandemic. This is only one example of how our contemporary events still influence those in the book. Her perspectives on privacy, the Internet, and what needs to change offers a window into the story Linda can never be.
The development of their friendship is beautiful. Each step forward Linda makes pairs with something threatening to send her back into hiding, whether provoked by Anvi or something external to their growing bond. Linda’s is a journey of discovery and trust, neither aspect a well-developed part of her character. Simple things like riding an elevator show change more dynamically than any statement of the events could. From Anvi’s side, wanting to be Linda’s friend is not enough. She must cross the treacherous ground others have filled with traps when they attempted to use Linda for their own benefit.
This is a story about people and perception. Whether it’s the debate about us being characters in a virtual reality simulation or how pre-knowledge about a person influences how you interact, there are strong psychological and philosophical elements. Linda and Anvi navigating the trials of new friendship is not the only thread that falls into these areas. We learn about the people surrounding both women, now and years before, with those relationships influencing the story present as well. Only Nibbler, the dog, stands out as straightforward, and even that relationship goes through a few twists and turns. The threat of a media storm is also tangible, expanding the story out to touch many lives. The book is complex and complicated in a fascinating way.
Systematic bias, primarily race and economic, plays an underlying role in part because Linda’s mother held her separate from society during her developmental years. She may not be affected by subconscious bias, but neither can she recognize when her actions play into them. The events between when she emerged and when the story starts demonstrate the gap between classes. Her wealth, and her father’s, shelters her from the trials of her upbringing and even reintegration. A poor child would have lived a vastly different life after emerging wild from the woods.
Anvi weighs in on this aspect as well, aware of the risks her skin tone imposes, especially when venturing out of Seattle. The state of Washington has many places where color is as rare as an astronomically wealthy feral child. She’s also aware of the economic standing that sets the two of them apart. Linda sees her wealth as a burden requiring even more caution and decisions she doesn’t want to make, but that doesn’t change the opportunities it affords.
It’s funny, but every time I question the categorization as science fiction, I realize just how much the near future tech impacts the story. It’s only slightly more advanced than where we are now in terms of wearable technology, virtual reality, and social networking. If our technological state is a boulder at the top of a hill, in the book it’s tipped over the edge and started the chaotic roll down. Reality itself comes in question in ways almost possible, or possible but little known, in our own time. But don’t be fooled into thinking the story sees no value in technology as a positive influence. It has that potential as portrayed. This book made me think, part of the reason reviewing it was so difficult, and will provoke many a fascinating book club or classroom discussion, I’m sure.
Ultimately, I enjoyed my time with these characters and the questions they raised. Little is as simple as it might first appear and the book should make you question your assumptions not once, but several times, as its story unfolds. This is the tale of a child raised to wear the shell of her dead sister, to fill a hole grief dug deep. For all the strange elements, the differences in economic power, and dangers of discovery, it’s a premise easy to identify with for a heartbeat, only to be horrified that you did a moment later. Anvi may be the easier window into their world, but the connection with Linda can be just as strong. Who hasn’t felt out of their depth after all?
P.S. I received this Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in the hopes of an honest review.
Forget Me Not is a captivating story. My heart went out to Linda. She’s been through a traumatic number of events and I just wanted to see things get better for her. What ensues is danger, many emotions, and hope.
I enjoyed the writing and the suspense. This story has a unique plot and holds you captive to the end. Very enjoyable!
Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva is a unique and ever-evolving story of a beaten-down and out young girl who survives all that the world throws at her. Linda is a young girl without family or friends until she meets Anvi and Anvi’s pet dog. The three of them form a self-support team that also includes long sessions of VR which add a degree of comfort and familiarity for them. Anvi takes Linda to Linda’s childhood home which stirs up dread about her parents and what happened to make Linda the way she is. The novel has numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and wanting more. Forget Me Not is a mystery and more. A great family story about what we can do when we care and look out for those in need.
Is it real or computer generated?
Sometimes the story is a bit confusing and it takes a while to see all the pieces slowly falling into place. You meet Linda the main character some years in the future. Linda has a hard time adapting to her current living condition in a city environment and trying not to establish contact with anybody. When finally she meets a neighbor she doesn’t know if she can trust her but makes allowances wanting to take comfort with the presence of the dog. The story is happening in the near future so we encounter some enhanced technology. Wearable sleeves that replaces or smart phones, state of the art reality games that makes you feel you are inside the game allowing interaction, changing and building items like a replica of your own house. Linda manages to lose herself for hours within the game giving her a sense of control over her life. Sometimes you will wonder what is real and what is not and I can tell you that you are going to continue reading because you want to find out. Just think about a child been used of taking care of herself with no contact to anybody except a non-caring mother suddenly finds herself with a father in the modern world. Becoming an adult and living in a busy city would be very hard. Will she survive or is she only part of a computer generated world. Get the book and enjoy.
This story is very appropriate to the digital world we are currently living in. Linda has lived a very isolated life and it was therefore not unusual that she ended up in a virtual game. What follows is a trip to figure out who she really is. This leads to danger for her but also a chance at redemption.
Forget Me Not is a dark and unusual mystery/thriller set in the near future. Linda spent the first 12 years of her life in an isolated, walled off 20-acre wilderness in Washington state. She lived there with her mother, Lorelei, and her twin sister, Emmer. Her mother had little use or love for the girls and left them to see to their own needs. Together they would romp and play through the forests, lost in their games of make-believe. One day, her mother took Emmer away, and upon returning, told Linda her sister would not be coming back. Life continued on, but now filled with loneliness. What love she had found in her twin, couldn’t be replaced. Certainly, her mother wasn’t willing or able to try! One night, Linda witnessed something so disturbing that she climbed one of the forbidden walls and entered the outside world in total, fear of both what she was running from and the unknown world she now found herself in.
We first meet Linda as she is entering her apartment building in Seattle. She is a bit older, but still trying to make sense of this very strange and large world. Socially interacting with anyone was a nightmare of misunderstandings for her. People seemed to have conventions about such things, but she didn’t know what they were or what the people expected of her. It was all she could do to navigate through the interactions needed to gather supplies etc.
Oliva skillfully develops her characters and their relationships; they are both interesting and believable. I loved watching Linda develop and grow as she gets more used to her new world and even begins to develop some relationships. That alone would be a fascinating story! Readers learn that Linda is a publicly known person (or at least her story is very well-known) and when Linda learns of it, she is devastated. Her whole previous life as she knew it was built on a lie, and she is set adrift again. When people make the connection between Linda and the story, it is only through the kindness of one of her new friends that she escapes the clamor of those wanting to talk to her about it.
I didn’t care for the turns into the worlds of gaming and alternative realities. This is where the book soured for me personally. Still, I have enjoyed Ms. Oliva’s other works and look forward to doing so again. This just wasn’t it for me.
My gratitude to NetGalley and Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel which is scheduled to be published on 3/2/21. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva is a highly recommended unique thriller set in the near future.
In a secluded walled-off twenty acre property in rural Washington Linda Russell’s mother, Lorelei Niequist, artificially conceived Linda in an attempt to replace her deceased daughter, Madeline. It became clear that Linda was not a replica of Madeline, and from the point of that realization, Linda was basically abandoned and left to raise herself. Linda often thinks of her twin, Emmer, who disappeared when they were young. She doesn’t know what happened but thinks Linda may have killer her. If Lorelei was present, she made her disdain clear and often told Linda to make herself scarce. Eventually she all but disappeared while still having food delivered for Linda. Then at age twelve, something scared Linda enough that she climbed the fence and made her way to town. From that point on, she was known as the Clone Girl and was brutally introduced to the modern world via social media. Her wealthy father, Arthur Niequist, who knew nothing of the artificial conception, is trying to do what he thinks is best for this daughter he never knew existed.
Now Linda is twenty-four and known as Linda Russell. She lives a quiet, withdrawn, controlled existence in Seattle, trying to go out at times crowds are fewer to draw no attention to herself. When/if she is identified, photographed, and it goes out on social media, she receives threats and will have to move again for her safety. In the world now people wear arm-wrapping “sheaths” that act as phones, fitbits, cameras, trackers, etc., and the only social media is SocialHub. When she has a new neighbor move in next door, Anvi Hendrickson, Linda is extremely reluctant to respond to her friendly overtures, but Anvi has a dog, Nibbler, that Linda wants desperately to pet. Linda’s burgeoning friendship with Anvi becomes life changing, especially in light of what happens to her next, after her childhood home catches fire and she is thrust back into the news.
The narrative is told through Linda’s point-of-view, drafts of messages Lorelei sent to Arthur, and Anvi’s thoughts. It is clear that Lorelei is mentally ill and her unraveling is evident in her treatment of Linda and her messages to Arthur. We slowly learn why Linda is the way she is, what her childhood experiences were and how she is living now. Her anxiety comes through the pages and you can feel her tension, her nervousness, her anxiety, her fear. When Linda meets Anvi, you will feel wary along with Linda, cautious about this friendly stranger. Oliva’s character development mimics Linda’s watchful, circumspect approach to life and it serves the novel well. While we meet the characters we are judicious when considering their character and intentions.
The plot held my attention throughout and the novel is well-paced. Linda’s suspicion and caution is clearly reflected in the novel and your reaction to the events going on will mirror this reaction. Oliva’s ability to manipulate the readers emotions to approach the plot with this same caution through her use of a present-tense narrative is incredibly intuitive. I didn’t realize this until after I was finished, and applaud the intelligence and skill involved in the choice of this presentation. I loved Oliva’s previous novel, The Last One, and while I loved many aspects of Forget Me Not, I did think the sub-plot featuring GH could have been left out, even though the end of this thread was noteworthy. 4.5 stars
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House Publishing Group
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/02/forget-me-not.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3830232867
Perhaps we all believe our childhood was normal until we find out otherwise. As a child, Linda Russell must have thought it was normal to fend for herself on a twenty-acre walled off wooded property in rain-soaked Washington state.
And we believe our memories of our childhood are real until we find out they may be fantasies.
When Linda sees something horrific that sends her over the wall and into society, she inherits immense wealth. She becomes a negative media sensation due to rumors surrounding the method of her birth. She grew up wild in a fenced preserve, now she can have anything unbelievable wealth can buy, including state of the art reality games. The story is set in the near future, so get set for games you walk into for hours and “sleeves” instead of cellphones.
She can have anything except true safety.
Everyone around Linda has secrets, the clues are planted carefully, there are twists aplenty, murder, and gruesome deaths. A wonderful dog is waiting for you. Bury your fingers in his coat as the bullets are flying around you, and him.
The book consumed me; I was immersed in the near future reality and found the story deepened by the evil fairytale haunting the background.
Recommended!
Pre-order now and get your copy March, 2021!
Thanks to #RandomHousePublishingGroup #Ballantine, #NetGalley, and the author of #ForgetMeNot for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback, this is it! #SuspenseThrillers #LiteraryFiction #ScienceFiction #Mystery&Thrillers