Customer Reviews

Absent Memories: Moving Forward When You Can't Look Back

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A facinating book that reveals insights into patterns of human relationships we all learned as children but to which we no longer attend. But what happens if those patterns are suddenly removed?

What if your diplomas and certifications suddenly become meaningless; you can't remember anything you were taught? References to Watergate, Nixon, the Beatles, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in, hold no memories and no meaning. Yet, for a strange reason you can't recall, you have those albums and tapes.

Worse, you're shown a stanger and told the man is your father, but you can't remember him? More mystifying is his emotional attachment to you! Sisters you can't remember seem upset with your past, lost to you, though they obviously remember. And you can't even miss growing up with your father or sisters just like you can't miss the guy or girl you didn't marry at school; because you have no memories of something that didn't happen. How do you grieve over something you can't recall?

For this author, Ms. Propst, all of the above is not only true, but honestly discussed. The author shares her questions at each phase of her sometimes difficult re-education. After all, at 47, she was as inclined to believe there was a "free lunch" as not. She soon found plenty of unscrupulous people willing to teach her.

The writing is tight, the prose short but sprinkled with the occasional verbal garnish. "Crises will march into our lives like Huns bent on destruction," is but one example. The read is shorter than you might think at 120 pages, but very intense as you almost constantly view her world from behind her "new" eyes.

In fact, this story reminded me of the Jason Bourne movies - suddenly you wake up and can't remember who you were. And Ms. Propst found adult reality and re-education almost as fast, difficult and sometimes cruel as the CIA trying to reel in a rogue agent. Inspiring, insightful and ultimately optimistic, this book deserves a home in most libraries.

Brad R. Leach

I enjoyed readiang Absent Memories. I am always amazed when I learn about a unique obstacle someone has had to face. Beki's story is a moving testament as to how such obstacles can be overcome. It makes one look at one's own life obstacles and how they can be dealt with in a more positive way. Absent Memories is a good reminder that persistence and faith in oneself can overcome most any difficulty.

Absent Memories

What would it be like to wake up one morning and discover that the door into the memories of your past was closed to you...not just closed, but locked? It is hard to imagine such a thing.

"Absent Memories" is a profile in courage. It is the chronicle of one woman's effort through tenacity and force of will to "just get on with it" when there was no foundation of experience to build on.

It is a march done in fear and trembling; but done with humor and joy at each new find. There in lies a tale with lessons that all of us can learn.

THIS WAS AN AMAZING BOOK. I READ IT IN TWO SHORT SESSIONS. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO FIND OUT WHY THE AUTHOR'S MEMORY LOSS WOULD HAPPEN. IT MADE ME WONDER WHY THE DIAGNOSIS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MADE EARLIER THAN IT WAS.
I GAVE A COPY TO A CO-WORKER FOR HIS DAUGHTER. I WOULD VERY MUCH RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF EPILEPSY OR MEMORY LOSS.

Absent memories was a very interesting book and a must read. It was well written, easy to read and not too long. Once I started, I couldn't stop until it was finished. I've recommended it to everyone I know. It would be great for discussion groups or book clubs. I have a personal interest in epilepsy. The author explained it in a way that any everyday person could understand. I can't imagine missing out on those joys and sorrows of growing up. Everyone would be interested in it, especially people with epilepsy or memory loss and their families, teachers, or people who have experienced discrimination, because it would give them a better understanding of epilepsy and memory loss.

"Absent Memories", is a great read. Our existence can change in a day. Rebecah may not have intended to become an advocate for people with memory problems, but she is. I wish this author continual success.

While reading Absent Memories, I had to pause several times to absorb what the author went through. After five hours I finished. This is one of those books that once you start you can't put down.

Until reading this book I never really thought much about memory. I took it for granted. When I thought about it, I recalled that when family members get together past memories always come up. When friends gather memories of the good old days are hashed over and over again.

It was hard to imagine not being able to remember my parents, or how much fun my brothers and sister had growing up.

I was amazed by how quick she had to learn how to make a living, let alone cope with a strange new world. She lived alone but couldn't remember her past work experience or education. I can see why there would be fear and panic. It must have been horrific to wake up each day with such feelings.

Absent Memories helped me to understand that people with disabilities are ordinary people like everyone else and are capable of doing anything if given the opportunity and support.

This a very well written book and a must for all to read.