Stepping Out Of Your Box
The Garden Of Memories by Amanda James is the most beautiful contemporary novel that I adored and never wanted to end.
The novel is about life and how to bloom just where you are planted. You are never too old to have a fresh beginning as you are transplanted from one stage of life to another.
As the title suggests, taking centre stage is the garden of memories. It starts as an ordinary garden but soon becomes the lifeline for so many in the village.
The smell of certain flowers and plants evokes special memories – memories that will not pass this way again but can be forever preserved in the garden of memories and enjoyed again and again.
We see that for some, the look and smell of flowers really is a lifeline, opening the door to the past. This is true of a grandmother, Lily, who has dementia. The smell of the flowers, and sweetpeas in particular, unlocks her mind, enabling her family to get a glimpse of the woman they all knew.
All the characters are well drawn and believable. They are an eclectic mix, many seeking their own identity.
We meet a recently retired nurse. “Nursing is who she is. It defines her… After today… who will she be?”
A seventy-seven-year-old retired teacher has been a beacon of hope for so many but “Flora … [is] a bit like a lighthouse without a light.” All her life, her mother dominated her – and even in death, her voice still booms loud in the character’s head. She needs silencing but how?
A newly single (through no fault of her own) forty-nine-year-old has been crushed all her life, following years of verbal abuse. “Self-loathing that comes from Paul’s voice whispering in her ear.” She needs help in order to learn to love herself again. “It takes a strong woman to hide the scars of abuse… Cruel words and sneers were his fists, and wounds ran deep.”
Life is made up of little moments. “Laughing is so important, as is enjoying the little things.” Laughter releases us from our self-made prisons. People have tried to build walls in order to protect themselves but find they have imprisoned themselves instead, producing squashed lives.
We can all learn lessons from nature – be planted in good soil, watered with love and care, enabling us to grow and bloom. “Plants are new life, and new life is hope.” The garden of memories is so important. “As long as I have new life growing, there will always be hope and new memories to make.” What began as a project for one woman becomes the beacon of hope for many. You are never too old to begin again and finish well.
The Garden Of Memories is so beautiful, it will warm your heart and soul.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A word: If you or anyone you know, is affected by some of the themes, please tell someone and seek help.
JULIA WILSON