Customer Reviews

The Memorist

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Memorist is author M.J. Rose's follow-up novel to The Reincarnationist and she has again taken themes of reincarnation, this time weaving 19th century Vienna and the musical world of Ludwig van Beethoven with modern-day terrorist plots. A fast paced historical thriller, The Memorist takes the best elements of The Reincarnationist and improves upon them.

Although there is one carry-over character present, The Memorist is most assuredly a stand-alone novel.

One of the pleasures of reading an M.J. Rose novel is her approach to historical fiction. While much of The Memorist takes place in present day Vienna, her forays into the 19th century are impeccably researched. She incorporates fascinating details into her story, many of which the reader might dismiss as part of the creative license a historical fiction writer so often invokes. It isn't until reaching the author's note at the end of the novel that the full extent of Rose's research becomes apparent.

If the plot synopsis above sounds vaguely familiar, it's because the plot of The Memorist is almost identical to that of her earlier novel, The Reincarnationist. New characters, new memories of past lives, and new artifacts for the protagonist to chase, but the plot movment is the same.

However, the improvements over The Reincarnationist are quickly apparent. Characters are more fleshed-out and their motivations better explored, giving the reader closer relationship with the characters.

Rose's penchant for over-populating her novels with characters is still present, but the improved characterizations make it much easier to keep track of just who is who.

But the very best quality of The Memorist is Rose's ability to meld time and place, even over the span of centuries, while still maintaining a tight, fast-paced thiller that keeps you guessing to the end.

Recommended, of course, for anyone with interest in reincarnation, but also for those who have a love of classical music (Beethoven plays a pretty big role in this novel!) or for those who just want to see a good example of blending modern day with the past.

In her newest thriller,The Memorist, MJ Rose boldly embraces the mysteries of time, memory, and music, as she once again takes on the complexities of reincarnation and its dire consequences. Set primarily in Beethoven's Vienna as well as present day Vienna, with occasional throwbacks to 2000 BCE, a thirty-something woman named Meer, plagued by unexplained visions, is at the center of controversy with deathly consequences. So is her archeologist father, Beethoven himself, Beethoven's friend, a journalist who chases modern-day terrorists, and a brilliant, monomaniacal, eccentric man obsessed with unlocking past lives. All become part of an emotional fugue that culminates in an explosive ending reminiscent of Dante's purgatory. Secret, underground tunnels twisting beneath Vienna's streets, ancient vaults and catacombs create a biblical-like backdrop as Meer, her father and others race to break down the walls of time to get at the past--one to save his son, another to save her father. Readers will love MJ's deft ability to move back and forth between the ages, and will be seduced by her knowledge of music and her ability to convey music's power to resurrect the soul.

As a youngster, Meer Logan only drew pictures of what looked like a treasure chest. Her family obviously noticing the pattern asked her why she insisted on drawing only this object. Meer explained that she had seen it before although no one including her could figure out when; her parents assumed it was youthful imagination though they were somewhat concerned with her seemingly compulsive behavior disorder.

Now an adult, Meer's sixty-five year old dad Jeremy, known as the "Jewish Indiana Jones" and who works in a Vienna auction house found the box listed in an auction catalogue. Inside the box is a letter that leads Jeremy to conclude that the artifact once was owned by Beethoven's beloved. Meer heads to Austria where memories flood her mind starting with the same flute tune that makes her wonder if she was Beethoven's lover in a previous life. As father and daughter seek a mystical flute, a murder and the stealing of the box and its letter makers both of them fear someone has a different fate in store for them.

THE MEMORIST is much more complex than the exhilarating THE REINCARNATIONIST, as M.J. Rose provides a superb thriller. There are several subplots that converge on Meer who like her dad begins to believe in her previous life. Meer, her dad and several other support players are fully developed so that the audience believes in all the seemingly paranormal nuances. Set aside plenty of time as this is not a fast read, but worth the time as THE MEMORIST is memorable.

Harriet Klausner

The Memorist is a literary mystery that takes place in multiple time periods and places. It has the pacing of The Davinci Code with the literary finesse of The Kite Runner. In The Memorist, a woman in the present day, and many of her acquaintances, search for Beethoven's secret flute and the melody carved on it that promises to free people assaulted by past life memories. The plot is complicated and there are many characters and storylines, but it all comes together in a very satisfying conclusion. The Memorist also includes references to many classical music pieces that help to make up its "soundtrack," and provide sensory layers to the book.

I loved this book, and look forward to reading more by M J Rose.

The Memorist is the second in a series of books about reincarnation, lost memory tools, and the struggle of Meer Logan to find herself through her past. Her father struggled to help his daughter call her past-life memories to the surface, but Meer found her life bearable only when she avoided the triggers that called those memories to the surface.

M.J. Rose's narrative technique easily transports readers to Vienna, the home of Ludwig von Beethoven, and to Vienna in the past when Beethoven lived and taught in the city. She carefuly weaves a suspenseful tale to find a lost memory tool once in the possession of Beethoven. Meer not only struggles with the surfacing memories, but with whom she should trust of her father's friends and how deeply she should not only confide in them, but lean on them when the memories flood her mind.

"Margaux's lovely home was filled with cleaver and important people, fine food and charming music. It was all a patina. The threads that held the partygoers' polite masks in place were fragile. Everyone in Vienna had an agenda and a plan for how the reapportionment of Europe would work best for them now that Napoleon was in exile. . . . So even here tonight, at what purported to be a totally social gathering, nothing was as it seemed." (Page 226)

This paragraph illustrates the facades built up around her father, her long-time confidant Malachai, and her father's sorrowful, new friend Sebastian. The face they present to one another does not represent reality; her father hides many things from her, just as she prepares speeches she believes he wants to hear. While this story is a thriller reminescent of The Da Vinci Code, it is much more, illuminating the relationship between Meer and her father and the secrets that lie beneath.

"'Yes, behind the facades of these elegant buildings are ugly secrets and dirty shadows. . . .'" (Page 297)

Readers will enjoy the shifting perspectives from chapter to chapter and the subplot that lurks beneath the surface and could change everything for the main characters and Vienna. Music, art, and mystery are the order of the day in The Memorist, and they are woven together beautifully.

"Lifting the plastic cover over the keys she put her fingers on the yellowed ivory and began. The piano had obviously been kept tuned and she was surprised at how differently this two-hundred-year-old instrument played from the ones she was used to. There was more power and feel to its sound, less control, less sustaining power and it seemed she could do more with its loudness and softness." (Page 252)

Meer underestimates her abilities, and readers will love the evolution of her character. The only drawback in the novel for readers may be the repetition of several descriptive lines as Meer enters her past memories and "a metallic taste fills her mouth." Aside from this minor annoyance, this novel is action-packed, thrilling, and absorbing. M.J. Rose has done her research and created a believable world in which reincarnation is a viable theory with the potential to be uncovered through the use of various tools.

Meer is plagued by snatches of memories, "dreads" that seem familiar but seem to be without a source, and always present with strange and perplexing music. But when she encounters a strange letter, Meer is compelled to travel Vienna, Austria, tantalized by the opportunity to uncover the real reasons behind these dreads. She uncovers a mysterious reincarnationist community and learns of a man named David, who lost his family at the hands of terrorists, and is bent on ensuring that their deaths not be forgotten through violent acts of his own...

The Memorist is an exciting and highly suspenseful book readers won't be able to shake easily. A combination of past and present, history, and elements of mystery, Rose has crafted an unconventional thriller that will not only entertain, but will make you think. The gripping and wonderfully candid style makes it easy to become immersed into the plot, and Rose cleverly gives readers little glimpses into Meer's past lives and reveals the actions of other characters while keeping her main character ignorant, resulting in a gripping and well drawn out read with an explosive ending that will remind readers to not forget the past lest it haunt them in the days yet to come.

Covering a subject that has long held interest for me international best selling author M.J. Rose has written a fascinating novel about a woman who has been tortured her entire lifetime by snatches of memories she could never put to rest. The "dreads" were how Meer Logan referred to glimpses of terror and soul searing memories that were always accompanied by odd notes and strains of music; music she could never remember when she came back from those paralyzing moments of dread.

After seeing a strange letter sent by her father Meer sets out on a journey to Vienna to perhaps discover her past thru the unearthing of a box; a special box which holds clues of a lost flute linked to Beethoven; and links to a secret reincarnationist group. Meer also runs into David Yalom - a man whom she'd never met but was another link to Meer's past. David a man who lost everything and planned to show the security industry a first hand look at terrorism and prove those who could not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

*** Edge of the seat drama and suspense are two of the vital elements in this book but the most fascinating for me is something I've always thought to be a reality - reincarnation. Ms. Rose's well written story offers a look at the heart wrenching pain that is felt by Meer as she suffers from memories, or as she refers to them `the dreads'. Each memory gives small glimpses of women from other past lives who had been involved in situations that involved perilous events culminating with loss, and always accompanied by strains of music so beautiful and achingly sweet which Meer could never recall after the episodes were over. While keeping Meer in the dark, Ms. Rose manages to keep the reader on pins and needles as she gives little clues into Meer's past lives, as well as introducing other characters who keep the action and suspense racing along in a sub-plots with twists and turns of betrayals along with a race against time to stop a terrorist attack. These past events seem to be repeating themselves in the present and until Meer can bring all the memories forth it seems that tragedies from the past are doomed to repeat themselves.

Bottom line: I found this book to be highly riveting, loaded with thrills and intensely appealing. Whether or not you're a believer in the possibility of reincarnation I highly recommend this novel for the sheer fact of being a most compelling and entertaining read.

Marilyn Rondeau

Meer Logan has always been haunted by the memories of someone else and the ellusive music that accompanies the memories. She has devoted her life to the study of false memories and to the study of music, hoping to rid herself of the dreads caused by these episodes.

Her father, Jeremy Logan, on the other hand, has devoted his life to the study of Jewish mystical beliefs and to recovering Jewish treasures. He believes Meer is remembering her past lives. Ever striving to help Meer, he finds a gaming box Beethoven gave to his closest friend - the same box Meer has drawn obsessively since childhood. The box possibly holds the secret to the location of one of the memory tools.

David Yalom is a journalist who earned three Pulitzers from his reporting on terrorism. His career, though, cost him everything he loved and now he's at a crossroads with his memories.

Malachai Samuels is a child psychologist who has helped hundreds of children suffering from past-life memories, but he hasn't been able to help Meer. When he hears of the gaming box and its possible connection to a flute that can aid recollection of past lives, he knows he must do everything he can to decipher the clues and find that flute.

The box is in Vienna, and all of the characters find their way there too, hoping to find the flute and make peace with their memories - past lives and present.

This was a fast-paced, intriguing, well-researched thriller. Though the general genre was firmly established by The Da Vinci Code, The Memorist is very original - due in large part to the reincarnationist background. Fun details about Beethoven's life and the romps through the historic sites of Vienna had me hooked. Though there are dozens of characters in several eras, I had no trouble following along with the clipping pace.

There were a few things that bothered me, like the stale description of what it feels like to sink into a past life memory. Also, I felt like some of the characters were a little too flat. That being said, this book accomplishes what it sets out to do - to entertain.

Why do some authors feel they need to wrap it up in a nice big bow? I liked most of this book, although I thought it was tedious in some places, overly cautious in others. I picked this book up because of the cover. I love Steve Berry books and he said it was a thriller. I am not sure if he really meant it though. I didn't care for the characters, none of them, which was too bad, because I liked the themes (reincarnation, historical figures and scenic locations). Oh well, maybe the author will get it right next time.

"The Mem­o­rist" by M.J. Rose is the sec­ond in fic­tional "The Rein­car­na­tion­ist" series. As in the first book, this one also deals with past lives and the mys­tery behind them.

Meers Logan is haunted by night­mares which seem vivid and real. She can smell, see and hear faint music which she can't put her fin­ger on. When an enve­lope addressed to the Phoenix Foun­da­tion, which is ded­i­cated to recov­ery of past life mem­o­ries, Meers rec­og­nize the box which she spent years imagining.

Meers is deter­mained to unlock the mys­tery and trav­els to Vienna to recover the lost mem­ory Flute linked to the great com­poser Lud­wig van Beethoven.

I liked "The Rein­car­na­tion­ist" and "The Mem­o­rist" by M. J. Rose didn't dis­ap­point either. When I saw that the book starts out quot­ing the Zohar I imme­di­ately knew that the author has done her research.

While "The Mem­o­rist" is a bit slower than the pre­vi­ous novel, I thought the story was more inter­est­ing, the char­ac­ters are more fleshed out and Vienna comes alive. Some of the char­ac­ters from the first novel make an appear­ance, and even have an impor­tant role, how­ever one need not read the first book to enjoy this one (even tough I would rec­om­mend it).

Ms. Rose com­plied a bunch of beliefs about rein­car­na­tion from sev­eral reli­gions and reli­gious texts and did a great job com­bin­ing them and explain­ing some com­plex the­ol­ogy in sim­ple terms.

On a side note: I loved that Ms. Rose incor­po­rated Beethoven's Immor­tal Beloved into this book. From some rea­son I just got a kick out of it when it "clicked".

If you fol­low my blog you know that I enjoy a diverse range of books and am not afraid to tackle dif­fi­cult and long books. One of the main rea­sons I enjoy these books is because they intro­duce me to a con­cept that is con­tro­ver­sial and not part of the main­stream. While I don't know if I believe in rein­car­na­tion (though it sure would be nice) I still find it inter­est­ing to read about.