The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth is one of the most boring books I have read this year (and I have read some sleepers recently).  The Things We Keep tells the story of Anna Forster whose mind has early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 38.  After an incident at her brother’s home (fire and her nephew), she has decided that it is best for everyone if she goes into a home.  Rosalind House is an assisted-living facility for seniors and they specialize in Alzheimer’s patients.   Anna, though, does not plan on being at Rosalind House for long.

Eve Bennett is now a single mother (daughter, Clementine is 7) and has to go back to work (her husband, Richard did a Ponzi scheme and then killed himself).  Eve graduated from the institute of Culinary Education in New York.  She finds a job as chef at Rosalind House and it comes with perks (she gets to clean and help with residents in spare time with no extra pay).   Eve is touched by Anna and her closeness to the other young resident, Luke (he has a different form of dementia that involves words).  Anna and Luke have formed an attachment, but their families do not approve.  Eve does not agree with the family’s decision to keep these two apart and tries to rectify it (Eve likes to stick her nose in everyone’s business).  Is Eve willing to risk her job to help Anna and Luke?  Will Anna succeed in her goal to end her life?

The Things We Keep is told from three different point of views (Anna’s, Eve, and Clementine’s).  I found the writing to be very disjointed.  The book also jumps around too much (different times, different people).   There is too much going on in this book.  The writer seemed determined to introduce the reader to every resident of Rosalind House (there are too many of them).  I was also shocked at the treatment of the residents at Rosalind House.  I would not let this place look after my pets, much less a relative (horrible care).  I hope real assisted living facilities are not like Rosalind House.  The story, I believe, is about how love endures no matter what (but it did not really come across in the book).  I did not enjoy reading The Things We Keep (it reminded me of a very bad soap opera). The novel moved at a snail’s pace (maybe even slower) and it was not enjoyable to read.  I give The Things We Keep 1 out of 5 stars (which means I really, really did not like the book).

I received a complimentary copy of The Things We Keep from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my latest review! Have a great evening.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader