Review: Worth Reading!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2012
I started The Memory Songbook a while back, and found it didn't really appeal to me. I learned long ago that sometimes that means I'm not in the right frame of mind, so I picked it up again today. It took me a few pages to get back into the rhythm - the past, the past beyond the past, and the present, with it's own past. All wrapped around the lanky frame of a musician who is trying - past and present - to find his own way. Did I scare you off? I hope not! This is a good book.This brought memories of my own parents - neither of whom suffered the horrors of dementia, but both of whom struggled with painful memories. It brought memories of my sisters and brother, of niece and nephews, of old friends lost to time and tragedy. It also brought memories of joyful times, of laughter and kindnesses and triumphs.I admired Frank for keeping on, even though he wanted to be elsewhere at 17. I admired him for managing to connect repeatedly with his addled grandfather, and for growing so much throughout the day described. Between the past and the present, I came to admire Frank as an artist and as a human being.This is a beautiful tale, beautifully told. If, like me, you aren't ready for it the first time, only set it aside to come back to later. When you're ready, it'll be there, ready to share with you the engaging tale it shared with me.