The Memory of Love

By: Aminatta Forna

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

A poignant story about friendship, betrayal, obsession and second chances – this novel is an immensely powerful portrayal of human resilience.

Sierra Leone: civil war has left an entire population with terrible secrets to keep. In the capital's hospital Kai, a gifted young surgeon, is plagued by demons. Elsewhere in the hospital lies Elias Cole, a university professor who recalls the love that drove him to acts that are far from heroic. As past and present intersect, Kai and Elias are drawn unwittingly closer and into the path of one woman at the centre of their stories.

©2010 Aminatta Forna (P)2011 W F Howes Ltd

Outstanding narrator

Captures a diverse set of accents superbly. I bought this book months ago and just couldn't get into it. Then, I couldn't stop listening. It is historical fiction but it is such recent history that it blows your mind away to know what people still have to endure. Brilliant!

Love in The Time of War

Aminatta Forna's Memories of Love surprises as the story is told through the life and love of Elias Cole. This is a story of love, admiration, unbridled passions, amidst the hopes, lust for life, power and the national pride of a post colonial African nation. A story of wishes, of great hopes, set against struggles for power and control, and a civil war that leaves behind losses of  lives, mind, dignity, of a people and a nation, of all that had been normal. 

This is story of betrayals, survival, absolution and redemption; of love intertwined with tragedy - survival where minds and souls are lost, traumatized, and destroyed whilst trying to grasp at what is true, honorable, and lasting. 

A story of the best and the worst in a nation facing a struggle for redemption, to right past wrongs, to move forward as a nation and a people becoming.

Love is the challenge, the motivator, the betrayer, and the betrayed. These are its memories. 

A Narrative that leaves a lasting Impression

"The Memory of Love" by Aminatta Forna is a profoundly deep story that takes place in the aftermath of the Sierra Leone Civil War. Through its beautifully written narrative, the book offers a glimpse into the lives of individuals in Sierra Leone as they navigate the challenges and complexities of life after the war. It has taught me valuable lessons about the true impact of war and political violence on people. One of the key insights I gained from this book is that trauma is not a simple, linear experience; it takes many different forms. Forna skillfully portrays the mental and physical scars left by war, allowing readers to better understand the profound effects on individuals and communities. Moreover, the novel provides a realistic portrayal of post-conflict reconstruction and how it manifests in the everyday lives of people.
I initially purchased this book in 2019 and read a few chapters, but I found myself getting caught up in the intricacies of the unfolding characters. However, more recently, when I was searching for a new audiobook to enjoy, I decided to give the audio version of "The Memory of Love" a try through Audible. I must say, the audio narration took the experience to a whole new level. The talented narrators captured the diverse accents and tones of the characters with absolute brilliance. It is, by far, the best narration I have encountered for a book.