Book Review: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty – A Powerful Tale of Memory, Loss, and Rediscovery
- Joao Nsita
- Oct 11, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 5, 2024
Introduction
What if you woke up and forgot the last ten years of your life? What if you had no memory of your children, your achievements, or even the crumbling state of your marriage? Liane Moriarty's What Alice Forgot presents readers with an intriguing thought experiment that makes us examine our own lives, our choices, and the relationships we value. From bestselling author Liane Moriarty—known for her page-turners that combine complex characters, mystery, and deep emotional resonance—What Alice Forgot is a compelling, unforgettable read that makes you laugh, cry, and reflect.
The book follows Alice, a 39-year-old woman who, after a head injury, loses the last ten years of her memory. As she tries to grapple with a world she barely recognizes, readers are drawn into a story of family, love, regret, and ultimately, rediscovery. Moriarty's storytelling prowess brings Alice’s journey to life, making it an emotional rollercoaster worth riding.
Book Summary
What Alice Forgot begins with Alice Love waking up after a fall at the gym. She believes she is 29 years old, newly married, and expecting her first child. However, to her shock, she soon discovers that she's actually 39, has three kids, and her marriage to Nick is on the brink of divorce. Alice is thrust into a chaotic life she can barely recognize—her friendships have changed, her relationship with her sister Elisabeth is strained, and she has no memory of the people closest to her.
Through Alice’s journey, Moriarty masterfully weaves in complex relationships. There’s Elisabeth, Alice’s sister, who has her own emotional turmoil and deep longing for a child, and their once-strong sibling bond, which has now become tenuous. Then there is Gina, a mysterious figure whose role in Alice’s life is initially unclear, and her estranged husband, Nick, who she realizes she still deeply loves despite their impending divorce.
The book’s narrative alternates between Alice’s experiences and the perspectives of Elisabeth, as well as entries from Frannie, Alice and Elisabeth’s “adopted grandmother.” These different perspectives help to fill in the gaps and provide a deeper understanding of how Alice’s relationships have evolved over the lost decade. Ultimately, Alice’s journey becomes one of remembering the past while grappling with what she truly wants for her future, making this a moving tale of second chances.
Author's Style and Craft
Liane Moriarty has an uncanny ability to delve into the everyday intricacies of people’s lives while bringing out profound emotional truths. Her writing is relatable, effortlessly combining humor and seriousness to keep readers engaged. In What Alice Forgot, Moriarty uses a blend of flashbacks and present moments to unravel Alice’s forgotten past, adding layers to the storytelling.
The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, shifting between dramatic reveals and introspective, emotional moments. Moriarty’s use of multiple narrative voices—through the diary entries of Elisabeth and the letters from Frannie—enriches the storytelling, offering different perspectives on Alice’s situation and the people impacted by it. This structure allows the reader to connect more fully with the characters, helping to build empathy for each of their struggles.
Dialogue plays a significant role in this novel, as Moriarty uses witty exchanges and emotional confessions to flesh out the characters. Alice’s inner dialogue and confusion as she tries to reconcile the person she was with who she is now is both moving and authentic.
Themes and Deeper Meaning
What Alice Forgot explores a multitude of themes, with the most prominent being memory, identity, and the impermanence of relationships. Alice’s memory loss serves as a metaphor for starting over and questions whether we would make the same choices if given a chance to begin again. The juxtaposition of Alice's past optimism with her current life's challenges forces readers to reflect on the gap that can exist between our aspirations and reality.
Another major theme is love and the importance of relationships. As Alice pieces together her life, she realizes how easily we can drift apart from those we love if we don’t make a conscious effort to hold on. This theme resonates through her troubled marriage with Nick and her strained bond with her sister, Elisabeth. Moriarty portrays these relationships in a raw, vulnerable way, making it clear that love, while rewarding, also requires patience and hard work.
Moriarty also uses symbols like Alice’s gym and Elisabeth's diary entries to symbolize self-discovery, resilience, and the complex nature of human emotions. The gym, which is central to Alice’s accident, represents both the unfamiliar world she wakes up to and the changes she underwent to transform into her current self.
Strengths
One of the book's greatest strengths is the relatable and heartfelt portrayal of relationships. Moriarty's characters are deeply flawed, yet incredibly real, allowing readers to see themselves in their struggles. The evolving dynamics between Alice and the people around her are beautifully captured, showcasing the fragility of human connections and the impact of time on relationships.
Another strength is Moriarty's unique ability to balance humor with heavier themes. Despite the seriousness of Alice's situation, there are moments of levity and warmth that make her journey bearable. This balance keeps readers emotionally invested without overwhelming them with the gravity of Alice's predicament.
The book’s central premise—waking up and forgetting the last ten years of one’s life—is a compelling hook that resonates universally. It makes readers question their own life choices, priorities, and the relationships they value, which adds a deeply personal layer to the reading experience.
Areas for Improvement
Though the book has many strengths, some readers may find the pacing a bit slow at times, particularly in the middle sections. The detailed exploration of Alice’s memory gaps, while essential to her character development, may occasionally feel repetitive, especially for readers seeking a faster-moving plot.
Additionally, some readers might feel that the ending is a bit predictable, given the direction of the story. While the focus on emotional resolution provides closure, a less conventional twist might have elevated the overall impact of the story.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to Moriarty’s other works like Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret, What Alice Forgot focuses more on the internal struggles of a single character rather than a broader ensemble. Unlike Big Little Lies, which is filled with intrigue and suspense, What Alice Forgot leans into emotional exploration and rediscovery.
In the wider women’s fiction genre, it shares similarities with Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson, though Moriarty's tone is considerably lighter and more hopeful. While Watson’s story is a psychological thriller, Moriarty opts for a more introspective and uplifting narrative that allows readers to reflect on their own lives.
Target Audience
What Alice Forgot is perfect for readers who enjoy women’s fiction, character-driven narratives, and stories with an emotional punch. Fans of Liane Moriarty’s other books or authors like Jojo Moyes and Kristin Hannah will enjoy the blend of humor, romance, and drama that Moriarty brings to her story. The book contains some emotional content related to infertility, relationship struggles, and self-reflection, which could be sensitive topics for some readers.
Personal Impact
Reading What Alice Forgot made me think about the passage of time and how easily we can take our relationships for granted. Moriarty's portrayal of Alice’s shock and rediscovery of her life struck a chord with me, and I found myself reflecting on how I interact with those I love. This is a book that makes you want to hug your loved ones and appreciate the life you’ve built, flaws and all.
Conclusion
What Alice Forgot is a heartfelt exploration of memory, love, and second chances. With relatable characters, a powerful emotional core, and Moriarty's signature wit, it is a book that stays with you long after the last page. Whether you're a longtime fan of Liane Moriarty or new to her work, What Alice Forgot is a poignant and uplifting read that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own life journey.
FAQ Section
What is What Alice Forgot about?
The book follows Alice Love, who wakes up after a fall and realizes she has lost ten years of her memory. It explores her attempts to piece her life back together while facing significant changes in her relationships.
Who are the main characters in the book?
The main characters are Alice Love, her estranged husband Nick, her sister Elisabeth, and their grandmother figure, Frannie.
Is What Alice Forgot part of a series?
No, it is a standalone novel by Liane Moriarty.
What are the main themes in the book?
The book explores themes of memory, identity, love, second chances, and the value of relationships.
What genre does What Alice Forgot belong to?
It falls under women’s fiction, with elements of drama, romance, and humor.
Is there a movie adaptation of What Alice Forgot?
There has been talk of a movie adaptation, but it has not been officially released as of now.
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth, humor, and romance would love What Alice Forgot.
Does the book have any sensitive content?
The book touches on themes of infertility, divorce, and strained relationships, which may be sensitive topics for some readers.
How does the book end?
To avoid spoilers, it’s best to say that the book ends on a hopeful note, providing resolution for Alice’s journey.
What makes What Alice Forgot unique?
The concept of memory loss and the exploration of how much a person can change over a decade makes this book a unique and thought-provoking read.
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Happy reading!
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