The Memorist, by M.J. Rose

If your idea of good, intellectually-stimulating entertainment is a book that will engage all of your sense and carry you over into a plot/story with real characters easy to understand and associate with, then "The Memorist" by M.J. Rose is the book you need to read right now. While I didn't read "The Reincarnationist" (her earlier volume), I had no problem understanding the main theme of the novel. Instead of retelling the story here, I'd like to highlight the most impressive aspects of M.J. Rose's masterful artistry. Reincarnation and the seemingly cosmic channels that spirits often travel are all intertwined into a fascinatingly excellently written book. The protagonist, Meer Logan, experiences a confusing sense of "cogito ergo sum," in the sense of the real meaning of the Decartes' idea: how do I know that I am awake, that I am not dreaming this, have I lived this before(?), and the sort of "I don't understand where all these memories are coming from..." that sort of thing.

At the bottom of all this, is one of my favorite composers: Ludwig Van Beethoven. As a cellist and classically trained musician, this aspect of the book kept me riveted until the very end. I think this was possibly the most masterful part of the plot; Rose weaves this historical detail into a fascinating and personal narrative--the reader can very much identify with the young protagonist's struggle to make sense of all of this. Enter Malachi Samuel (I believe he's part of "The Reincarnationist," but I can't corroborate this) and a neck break search for a mysterious "magic flute" that when played, awakens memories of past lives on the listener, and the plot masterfully converts itself into a sort of cloak-and-dagger search through the most beautiful (and musically inspiring) cities of Europe (Vienna, Pasohlavsky), and subconscious travel stretches to the depth of pre-Ancient India. An underground "reincarnationist" society is also an intricate detail of the story that brings to mind Umberto Eco's fascinating storytelling of secret societies in "Foucault's Pendulum." Small erroneous details such as Beethoven's living quarters being on a sixth floor of a building in pre-1850s Vienna (Beethoven died in 1827, there were no building taller than four levels high before the late 1850s in Vienna, or so I was informed by a historian friend) are easily overlooked (and that's just because some "silly" people--like me--research stuff like this, etc.).

M.J. Rose's "The Memorist" is a masterfully woven and intellectually satisfying book. It will entertain, no doubt, and keep you at the edge of your seat. I recommend it without reserve.

FREE GIVE AWAYS: I have TWO copies of "The Memorist," and TWO paperback copies of "The Reincarnationist" to give away RIGHT NOW. First two emails to jcr3008@gmail.com WIN!

The Meaning of Being Behind on a Word Count

There's an art to keeping up with deadlines, I suppose, and most of us in the academic world seem to be genetically predisposed to not partake of that talent. I don't mean this in a derogatory way; life is always greener on the other side of academia. The truth is that being 8,000+ words for NaNoWriMo really doesn't scare me much. It's not false bravado. At this time last year I was ahead by at least 10,000 words. I overtook the daily word count around the 17th of November and never looked back. This year has been tough, and, in the absence of some of the things that were working for me last year, I still feel I have a decent shot of finishing this. I'll keep you posted. I am at 27,459 words in right now.

I am reading "The Memorist" by M.J. Rose and enjoying it tremendously. My review of it is due on November 28th, so please check back for sure then. It is the first book I have been asked to review that has commercials for it on television. I caught sight of one in the History Channel the other day and as I was sort of in a trance from grading papers I thought I was seeing things. It all seemed strange until my colleague brought it up at work the next day. Please stay tuned for a GIVE AWAY (the first one of its kind here at "Frequency of Silence." I have TWO copies of "The Memorist" and TWO copies of "The Reincarnationist" to give away for free here. All you have to do is send me an e-mail at jcr3008@gmail.com On the 28th, the first two e-mails I receive will get the free copies. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. (I'll even pay the postage).