The Memory Painter

De: Gwendolyn Womack

Narrado por: Will Damron

Two lovers who have traveled across time, a team of scientists at the cutting edge of memory research - a miracle drug that unlocks an ancient mystery....

Bryan Pierce is an internationally famous artist whose paintings have dazzled the world. But there's a secret to his success: Every canvas is inspired by an unusually vivid dream. When Bryan wakes, he possesses extraordinary new skills - like the ability to speak obscure languages and an inexplicable genius for chess. All his life he has wondered if his dreams are recollections, if he is reexperiencing other people's lives.

Linz Jacobs is a brilliant neurogeneticist absorbed in decoding the genes that help the brain make memories until she is confronted with an exact rendering of a recurring nightmare at one of Bryan's shows. She tracks down the elusive artist, and their meeting triggers Bryan's most powerful dream yet: visions of a team of scientists who, on the verge of discovering a cure for Alzheimer's, died in a lab explosion decades ago.

As Bryan becomes obsessed with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the scientists' deaths, his dreams begin to reveal what happened at the lab as well as a deeper mystery that may lead all the way to ancient Egypt. Together Bryan and Linz start to discern a pattern. But a deadly enemy watches their every move, and he will stop at nothing to ensure that the past stays buried.

A taut thriller and a timeless love story spanning six continents and 10,000 years of history, The Memory Painter is a riveting debut novel unlike any you've ever listened to.

©2015 Gwendolyn Womack (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Creative plot

Any additional comments?

The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack has a great premise. An artist, Bryan, has been haunted his whole life with 'remembering' previous lives. He has no control over it, and goes into a fugue-like state where he paints a scene from that life. Interestingly he gains the skills of the individual - chess master level chess skills, fluency in the language, samurai fighting skills and so on. One day he meets Lyns, a specialist in brain chemistry and memory. He recognizes her as a soul he's been connected to repeatedly. She has had recurring nightmares about being put to death in 3rd century Rome. She is shocked when she see's Bryan's painting of that nightmare.

Over the course of the novel, Bryan tries to convince Lyns of their connection, but his most recent memories of he last life point to Lyns' father's involvement in his death, along with Lyns in her previous incarnation. The novel moves at a good clip and we see Bryan in various incarnations and Lyns as she tries to make sense of all the seemingly random connections with Bryan. The individual lives are interesting, eventually bringing the reader to ancient Egypt and the idea that there was once an advanced civilization whose knowledge was lost to later generations. The idea is well executed and based on the nature of the past lives connections, plot incidences that might otherwise feel coincidental or even 'deus ex machina" make sense in the context. The characters were distinct enough and there were enough twists and suspense to keep my engagement high. Then ending worked well, although it left enough open that I wonder if there will be a sequel.

I enjoyed the dips into history and the brushes with the famous. Womack knew her the individuals she based 'past lives' on as well as their settings and the history. Womack used myth well to pull the threads together. While not the literary event of the year, it was an entertaining read that was thought provoking. Over all I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced mystery based in science and in history.

its great!!!

The book was great and very interesting this should be made a movie the ending was mind blowing and the narrorators voice was very soothing 10/10 would recommend this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need more of this writer

What did you love best about The Memory Painter?

loved the way she made this story woven with personal histories through time. I've now read both of Ms. Womack books and can't wait for the next one. This book I did not want to end but wanted to know the ending. I believe those are the best books

What did you like best about this story?

several life times of history

Which scene was your favorite?

Egypt. This writer with the help of the reader can bring to life a scene.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I just liked the flow. Not to long in any place but moving at just the right pace.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next book!

Loved it

Really enjoyed this story and the giant plot twist towards the end. At this point I’ve read two of Womack’s book and haven’t been disappointed or bored.

LOVE

Love all of the stories written by Gwendolyn Womack. Can’t stop reading or listening. Looking forward to more.

Loved this Take-Me-Away Story

Gwendolyn Womack knows her history. Her awareness of esoteric knowledge is vast and deep as she interweaves reincarnation and mastery, art and power into a great story spanning 10,000 years. It’s motivational and inspirational, creating the desire to know our own personal lineage. Great job Gwendolyn. Thank You!

Interesting

I mostly enjoyed this book. I knew going into it that the plot was far-fetched and on the Sci-Fi side so that was fine with me. I think the only thing was that I found the female protagonist kind of annoying. It took away from the story for me because I just didn’t like her. This one wasn’t my favorite but was interesting enough to get me through my long drives.

Very enjoyable!

I enjoyed this book very much for the historical aspect and the fantasy of reincarnation etc. The story was well crafted!

Intriguing and imaginative

I loved the plot, the characters, the interwoven meandering through time and space. Highly recommended

Great story!

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to a book that kept my interest! This was an unexpected pleasure. I enjoyed the narration- it was perfect for this book.