Of Memories And Love

When The Music Stops by Joe Heap is a beautiful contemporary novel about life with its loves and losses.

The story has a serene atmosphere as we see the life an octogenarian has lived. The novel alternates between present day and significant events in her past.

The stories are linked by her love of music. The music remains even as the memory is going due to dementia. It is sad to witness the struggle for words but the power of past memories is huge. Present day is hazy but the past is rich and very much alive. As life is drawing to a close, far from being emptier, it is fuller as the memories of a life lived well mount up.

Every loss hurts. Each loss is unique. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. You never become desensitised to loss. Loss always cuts us to the core.

When The Music Stops is a unique and very beautiful novel. I read it in just one sitting. Pathetic fallacy was employed as an actual storm mirrored the storms of life but the reader feels protected and cocooned by the calm and loving nature of an old lady.

This is such a beautiful book of memories but most of all it is a book of love of a life lived well.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON