The title and synopsis of this book grabbed my attention immediately, in part because it sounded slightly similar to a novel idea of my own that I’ve been kicking around for a while now. So even though it’s classified as young adult, I added it to my reading list because it sounded so good. And I was not disappointed.
Alana Harlow is Whistler Beach’s last remaining Harlow, the only one left to keep the town’s memory eater in check. Her family has been doing the job for generations. Locals and tourists alike make appointments to feed their unwanted memories to the memory eater, who is happy to take them despite her captivity. But after generations, it’s inevitable that things will begin to unravel–and at just 17 years old, Alana may not be completely equipped to handle it all. In the course of trying to prove that she is a competent Harlow, Alana begins to uncover old secrets that call into question the very foundations of Whistler Beach and what the town has always known and believed.
First and foremost, I’m glad to say this book is quite different than my own book idea and so I don’t have to scrap that one. I can continue to neglect it for the time being.
Rebecca Mahoney’s book is a quick and engaging read that considers the price of forgetting, of how a person may change if they let go of the unpleasant or unwanted memories. At one point, Alana and a client consider, are they still the same people if they let go of these pieces of themselves? The story also takes on the topic of how generational traditions, beliefs, and processes can often turn out to be not what a person thinks, even completely wrong. People want to hold Alana accountable for the chaos, even while knowing that she never had the whole story or complete understanding.
Mahoney writes a relatable character in Alana. Self-sufficient, self-contained, and self-controlled, many readers will find a part of themselves in her, recognizing the feeling and drive to handle things on their own instead of relying on others for help. Seeing Alana overcome this and open up to the people who love her, while also taking responsibility for what she can, makes a nice story.
This story also includes found family, several LGBTQ+ characters, and the breaking and healing of generational trauma. It can be a heavy story to take in, but one that I found to be very enjoyable.
Reading, writing, living 