Professional ballerina, Ailsa MacIntyre, is at the peak of her career when her world is shattered by a shocking diagnosis. Life-saving surgery leaves her with a fractured memory, little recollection of her husband Evan, and none of her career as a principal dancer.While recuperating at home, Ailsa hears beautiful music coming from the apartment upstairs, and the sound of the grand piano at the … hands of a talented new neighbor sparks Alisa’s muscle memory. As her recovery progresses and she begins to dance again, the broken pieces of her past gradually re-emerge, a picture not quite as idyllic as her husband, Evan, would have her remember. Ailsa must navigate the conflicting visions of her past, and potential future, as they collide.
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I just finished this wonderful book and am still thinking about how much I loved it. Alison Ragsdale does a superb job of weaving a wonderful story, creating a world of ballet with realistic characters and acknowledging the yearning that exists in all of us to be free to be who we are. A not to be missed novel. Put it on your list now!
Alison Ragsdale gently leads the reader into the world of prima ballerina Ailsa McIntyre, whose life so far has been devoted to dance. Sacrifice and commitment have brought her great success. When headaches suddenly become a life-threatening medical emergency, the life as she has known it becomes a vague memory in many respects … including her marriage and, indeed, the ability to dance again. This is a gripping read from start to finish. Poignant and suspenseful, Ailsa’s journey to what lies ahead of her enthralls from start to unpredictable finish. Unputdownable!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Art of Remembering” by Alison Ragsdale, July 16, 2019
WOW! Alison Ragsdale, Author of “The Art of Remembering” has written such an intense, captivating, thought-provoking, poignant, emotional and heartbreaking story. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, and having their own set of problems and expectations.
Ailsa is a professional ballerina and is married to Evan, and to the outside world, it appears that she has everything. Some of Alisa’s and Evan’s goals are different. Alisa is getting terrible headaches and collapses on stage. The diagnosis is a brain tumor, and surgery is required. Both Alisa and Evan try to understand the prognosis and the possible results.
Will Alisa be able to dance? What will happen to Alisa’s memories? There are so many questions, and even after the surgery, there might not be answers for a long time. When Alisa first wakes up, she doesn’t have many memories of Evan.
I love the way that Alison Ragsdale describe in vivid detail Alisa’s emotional and physical changes. I also appreciate that the author discusses the importance of living your dreams for yourself, courage, emotional support, family, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this well-written story. I have to confess to some Kleenex moments.
BOOK REVIEW:
The Art of Remembering by Author, Alison Ragsdale
Expected Release Date: July 16, 2019
As I opened the envelope and discovered the gift of my ARC- the cover alone captured my full attention, but as I opened the book, the Prologue had me entranced. I knew right then this was a story that would pull me into Ailsa MacIntyre’s world and not let go. It did just that.
The Art of Remembering is a beautiful narrative written with such purpose and heart. It is complex, stunning, powerful yet tender. Ms. Ragsdale has created a story so richly descriptive- the characters, the world of Professional Dance and the addition of a delicate yet detrimental discovery, will wrap you within it’s pages as if you’re experiencing it all on a very personal level.
As I read the very last word, on the very last page, of this beautifully touching, and meaningful gem of a novel, I was moved beyond moved.
A story written as part Fiction, part Memoir, The Art of Remembering will lead you on a journey of one woman’s heartbreak and joys, as well as her task of re-discovery and the ultimate quest of re-inventing her world, a world she seeks of peace and belonging.
I urge you to read this captivating story. A story rich with emotion that will seep deep into your heart. A novel that I believe will soon become every book-lovers dream.
I would like to personally thank author, Alison Ragsdale, for gifting me an ARC of this wonderful story in order to not only read and enjoy, but to experience~
5 Stars
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Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels N Latte Book Club
Alison Ragsdale does it again. THE ART OF REMEMBERING is an exquisitely drawn story of a talented ballerina confronted with the unimaginable, and her ensuing journey to find the truth. Set in the competitive dance world, this relatable story pulled me in from the beginning, never releasing its grip until the end. You will be rooting for Ailsa with every turning page.
A gorgeously-written and beautifully told story of human behavior under the most catastrophic circumstances. From the prologue to the very last word, Ragsdale commands the reader’s attention with characters that are both complex and compelling. One by one she peels back the hidden layers of responsibility, expectation, and fame to expose the soft underbelly of Ailsa MacIntyre’s life. Highly recommended
This story was beautifully written! There are artists of every kind; from dancers to painters, but an artist of words is truly praiseworthy. The author, Alison Ragsdale, is that artist! You will love everything about her story, ” .”
The tale pulls you in from the very beginning, and it will not let go. There is heartbreak, happiness, hope, forgiveness, new beginnings…so many emotions that you will wonder what will surface next.
Alisa MacIntyre is a professional ballerina; life is going as planned, but then the unthinkable happens with a startling medical diagnosis. Life as Alisha knows it, is about to change.
Alison Ragsdale is indeed a genuinely talented writer. I can tell this book is close to her heart, as she was a professional dancer who received the same startling medical diagnosis. I imagine writing this story may have been a form of therapy for her. Not only that, I’m so touched that she wrote and shared it with her readers. She gives us a lesson on how strong-willed a person can really be. I highly recommend this moving story!
~This book was given to me through a giveaway by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
The Art of Remembering by Alison Ragsdale offers a heart-rending look at the unimaginable journey of a principal ballet dancer at the height of her career, whose life is turned upside down by a devastating medical diagnosis. With its insider’s look at the grueling world of ballet, and its tug-at-the-heart telling of main character Ailsa’s struggles as she is caught between a world of forgotten and hazy memories, and the life she must rebuild, The Art of Remembering hits all the right notes. Impossible to put down, and beautifully written, it is a heartwarming story of a woman who had to lose her memory to find her true self.
I loved this thoughtful glimpse into the world of professional dance, and the lyrical way in which it was written- almost as if the reader was taking part in the ballet itself. Ailsa’s journey of self- identity was interesting, and led me to some thought-provoking conclusions on what it really means to ‘remember.’ Well done!
First let me begin with, that I am so glad that this was our monthly book club pick for January. I was excited to read this and was not disappointed.
Alison Ragsdale has written a beautiful, poignant novel with “The Art of Remembering”.
I flew through this book and read it in 2 evenings. The flow of the story and the way the book is written had me not wanting to put it down.
Ailsa’s relationship with her husband Evan, both before and after her surgery were complex. It is said that sometimes you have to look at things from an entirely different angle to see it from another perspective.
When re-examining from this new “after surgery” perspective, things were much different and she had to work through things and determine what path was her true destiny. Likewise, she had to re-examine the relationship with friends and family.
This was thought-provoking and I asked myself if I would have chosen familiarity or would I have ventured out into the unknown?
There were parts of the book that made me sad for Ailsa, but there were even more happy moments where I caught myself smiling and overjoyed.
Alison Ragsdale is definitely becoming one of my favorite authors. So far I have read two of her novels, and have added more to my to-be-read list after reading this novel as well as “Tuesday’s Socks” recently. I highly recommend that you check her books out!!!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.
Amazing Ailsa! Sacrifices for her dancing, manages a marriage then a tragic diagnosis turns her life inside out!
Unputdownable!
I listened on Audible
Music and dance come together like never before in Alison Ragsdale’s Novel “The Art Of Remembering”. My heart was fully captivated as I turned the pages.
When I first started reading this story, I fell immediately in love with Ailsa. She proved to be an awe-inspiring character and one that will stick with me for a long time to come. I realized along the way..this was her story, just as much as it was Alison’s. The fact that she brought her this much to life was just stunning to me!
Ailsa is a professional ballet dancer that falls ifll and has to recover from brain surgery and memory loss. Her neighbor upstairs plays music that just may be able to help her remember things she has forgotten; which include her husband, her friends and her dancing. Honestly…Herself.
I was blown away by the beauty with which her story is written. It’s as if love is actually weaved within the pages leaving Ailsa’s soul laying bare for us to see. The pain. The raw, dirty suffering. The need and want for her to remember!
The enlightenment that came along the way as she looked recovery in the face was truly a heartfelt, gripping, and breathtaking story.
You will feel better and even stronger for knowing this story!
Ailsa will touch your heart and she will definitely sit there a while. Maybe even dance, too.
You will Remember Ailsa!
The Art of Remembering is a lovely book . . . the kind of story you can immerse yourself in and be uplifted. I’ll be reading more by this author!
Loved this book,when a life altering diagnosis of a brain tumor is found,how things evolve. Ailsa was a professional ballerina, when she awoke from her brain surgery she had no memories of being married or her career. Great story following her Art of remembering and what she learns about herself in the process.
THE ART OF REMEMBERING by Alison Ragsdale is a wonderfully-written and emotional story of love, friendship and the search for happiness. From the very first page, I was totally immersed in this story which is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Ailsa MacIntyre is at the pinnacle of her career as a professional ballet dancer. Her years of relentless practice, unwavering commitment and enormous sacrifice have brought her to this point, but at times, she can’t help but wonder what parts of herself and her life she has given up to reach the top. When Ailsa is diagnosed with a devastating illness that requires a dangerous surgery to save her life, she suddenly finds that her memories of her career, her husband and her friends are spotty at best. As she begins the long road to recovery, she is constantly faced with conflicting versions of the life she thought she was living. Her pain, doubt, and fear are palpable on the page. Her raw emotions are portrayed with empathy and compassion. The author’s experience as a professional dancer and a brain tumor survivor clearly added a personal aspect to the story that made it all the more compelling. I loved this inspiring and moving book and I know it will stay on my mind for a long time. I give THE ART OF REMEMBERING my highest recommendation and I look forward to reading more from Alison Ragsdale.
A book about a ballerina written by someone who really knows ballet, the story centers on the costs of having a performing arts career interrupted by a brain tumor. The medical portions come from the author’s own experience and the story provides a realistic look at how recovery itself affects people’s lives. Hard to put down and at times frustrating because that is how the people’s lives were affected. Well done book.
Have you read any Alison Ragsdale books? This was my first one, and it won’t be my last.
Like I said, this was my first time with an Alison Ragsdale book. When I was asked to join this tour I was immediately interested, the topic of memory loss after surgery was extremely intriguing. I did not know that I was going to be in for such an emotional adventure with Ailsa and her husband Evan.
It’s one thing to deal with a marriage that after many years seems to hit a wall, but to forget that you were even married once, and to have to try and remember your life together can’t possibly be easy. There isn’t a minute from the moment you start this book that you are not immediately drawn into the story and consumed by emotions. I guarantee that you finish it in one sitting alone, I know I did.
When I started reading this book I was immediately reminded of an older Harrison Ford movie, called Regarding Henry. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it, but in this movie imagine Harrison Ford as Ailsa. (Ok, not as a ballerina, though that would be fun to see, but as a person who loses their memory of their life and family and has to find themselves again). Though the premise of “HOW” of the movie and The Art of Remembering are completely different, the day to day struggle and stressors on a person and family when dealing with this kind of loss are depicted so beautifully. Its one thing to visually see someone act something out on a screen, but to be able to read something in written word, as Alison Ragsdale has done, and be able to visually see and feel this play out inside your own head and have it elicit so much emotion in your own being, is just true talent. Alison Ragsdale has beyond a doubt shown true talent with The Art of Remembering. When a book makes you feel like you are a part of it, then you know that the book is damn good.
I don’t do spoilers, so I can’t summarize the ending, or tell you how things work out, but what I can tell you is that this is one book that needs a lot more attention and a ton more publicity. It is beautifully written, easily read, highly relatable, and just one realistic and true to life type of story that most people tend to devour. I wish I could stand from a mountaintop and tell everyone I know to pick up a copy of this one. I think Alison Ragsdale might become more of a household name once this is released.
This is a true 5 star review for me, well deserved. One not to miss for sure.
The Art of Remembering had so much I was excited about 1. ballet and 2. serious medical prognosis. As a small girl – I loved being in ballet and I have been in healthcare most of my career, so to get both was a thrill.
What I found was a beautifully crafted novel full of raw emotion, deep, well-crafted characters and I story I was lost in immediately. The intricacies of life as a ballet dancer, a wife in a tumultuous relationship, a medical diagnosis that changes everything and a second chance at…well, so much. The detail and knowledge Ms. Ragsdale provides and expertly weaves makes this a story you will immerse yourself in and it is completely un-put-down-able.
I give it my highest recommendation and am still thinking about this novel of pure gorgeousness. 5 stars. This is one you will want on your shelf and a perfect gift for a book lover of emotional Women’s fiction. Bravo!
The Art Of Remembering by Alison Ragsdale was just released yesterday and I couldn’t be more excited to have been an early reader! Emotionally engaging, I did not want to put this one down! A beautiful ballet of words, Ms Ragsdale has composed such a lovely story of courage and resilience! Yet another must-read to add to your 2019 summer reading list!
This is a beautifully written book about Ailsa, who is a principal ballet dancer in the Scottish Ballet company when tragedy strikes. She has been suffering from headaches and doesn’t know why. This book brings us into her world. She loses many of her memories and struggles to come to terms with her new normal. It is a story of sadness, strength and ultimately, finding joy. The characters are well crafted and I absolutely loved Ailsa. They are believable and the issues are true to life. I felt such emotion while reading this book. It is heartbreaking and yet uplifting, because through all her trials Ailsa finds herself. This book will capture your heart and you will be rooting for Ailsa to find her own path and not the path that others chose for her. An absolutely exquisite read.