Before I Go to Sleep by S.J Watson
Feb 7, 2012 (Paperback) by Harper
Paperback, 368 Pages
Review Copy
Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.......Welcome to Christine’s life.
Review
In this intense page turner, we meet Christine, a middle aged woman who awakens one morning to discover that the man beside her is a stranger....she's embarrassed, frightened and confused by why a college aged gal like her self would go home with such an older man.....but then Christine sees her wedding band and then sees herself in the mirror....
Its not everyday one wakes up and forgets their entire life, its not often that you have no memory of the man you married or the life you shared together, you also cant understand why this man Ben, the only person in your life creeps you out and sends shivers down your spine or the fact that making love to him (on the nights he attempts) almost feels like rape. This and other things are just the tip of the iceberg in Christine's daily life. As she wakes every morning forgetting who she is due to head trauma caused by an attack years ago, every morning is a shock, every morning is a heartbreak, every morning is an adventure into the unknown.
Its not everyday one wakes up and forgets their entire life, its not often that you have no memory of the man you married or the life you shared together, you also cant understand why this man Ben, the only person in your life creeps you out and sends shivers down your spine or the fact that making love to him (on the nights he attempts) almost feels like rape. This and other things are just the tip of the iceberg in Christine's daily life. As she wakes every morning forgetting who she is due to head trauma caused by an attack years ago, every morning is a shock, every morning is a heartbreak, every morning is an adventure into the unknown.
Between a cascade of photos, Ben's soft reassurance and the Doctor who is helping her piece together her life by using a daily journal, Christine desperately tries to gain control over her memories. Slowly and piece by piece the journal begins to ignite sparks in her brain and as memories begin to surface and flashbacks become real, Christine discovers the horrifying truths of her past, the people who surround her and the shocking events that lead to her injury.
Stop everything your doing and go read this book.....its ridiculously good. Without going into detail because even a little information will ruin the ride for readers, I can tell you the plot had me spinning with anticipation and every possible outcome that could of happened in this book crossed my mind...except of course for what finally happened, which chilled me to the bone. Creepy, scary, thrilling and excellent are the words I would use to describe this book. Watson's writing was truly enthralling as he cast me into this simple yet complex story....one that ranks as my best read this year....actually its by far one of the best thrillers I've read.
The worst thing about this book is the fact that Ill never experience it again, Ill never have my jaw hit the floor or feel the goosebumps riddle my entire body when the final page is turned. Be prepared to walk into brilliant madness.......Watson is an author to watch!!
Rating
Before I go to Sleep is recommended to adult readers and contains: Violence, suspense, drug and alcohol use, strong language, graphic sexuality including sexual dialog and situations.
PS- Because Im a reviewer (its seriously a whole world of our own) I tend to picture character faces vividly- whether its by my imagination or actors...during this entire book I kept seeing Diane Lanes face as Christine...here's hoping they make this book movie and Diane gets the part!!!
5/5- Thriller-Suspense
Thanks to Harper and TLC Book Tours for review copy
Link to Buy: Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel
Link to Buy: Before I Go to Sleep: A Novel
I am so glad that you enjoyed this book :)
ReplyDeleteI love page turners!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled just reading your description of the story...I can't wait to see what this book will do for me! :)
Thanks for recommending this to me yesterday! :)
A Best of the Year! Those are some might powerful words, T! Okay, I'm on board. :)
ReplyDeleteI've read nothing but awesome reviews for this book. I'm going thru and adult lit slump right now and I'm hoping this will be my ticket out.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny learning about what bloggers do when they read - which bloggers imagine faces, which ones "cast the movie" and so on. I tend to ignore physical descriptions when I read unless there is a particular characteristic that is very important (deep blue eyes, long hair that she flips over her shoulder, dark and brooding features, etc.) I do love Diane Lane though, so I'll go with your recommendation and try to imagine her as the main character when I read this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour. :)
OH I am going to have to get this one! I love books that deal with memory issues and figuring out your life. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds super intense! I can't imagine waking up next to someone I feel like I should know but for the life of me I can't remember. And then to get shivers down my spine (the not good ones) because of him? Yikes. Beautiful review Tina!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I loved very very much that book, and I disagree with bloggers that criticize the ending. I am definitely looking forward to more books by the author. I actually listened to it, and it was terrific, with Orlagh Cassidy as narrator, THE best ever! see my review: http://wordsandpeace.com/2011/11/21/83-before-i-go-to-sleep/
ReplyDeleteWow, 5, huh? I don't know if I've ever seen you post up a 5. This sounds ridiculously good. I don't normally do thrillers, but this one sounds seriously amazing, Tina. Plus, that 5 really pulls me in. I love crazy, too, so it may just be a perfect fit. ;)
ReplyDelete(Rodolfo told me to tell you to stop calling him!)
This book sounds amazing! I love psychological/mystery/thrillers. I am adding this to my TBR right now!
ReplyDelete♥Melissa
I really enjoyed this book when I read it as well! And I could. not. put. it. down. Loved it and can't wait to read more by this author!
ReplyDelete