The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
Flora suffers from anterograde amnesia and has done since she was 10. She can only remember things for a few hours before they disappear, although she still retains memories from the time before she was 10. She remembers her parents, her neighbourhood and that her best friend from childhood is Paige. However, she has the mind of a 10-year-old in the body of a 17-year-old, which is confusing at best. Flora navigates her life by writing notes on her hand with key details about where she is and what she is meant to be doing.
Flora’s whole world changes when, at a party, a boy kisses her: Paige’s boyfriend, no less. The next day Flora remembers the moment in its entirety; it’s the first memory she has retained since she was 10-years-old. It sets her down a path of new directions, adolescent emotions and a journey into the unknown.
Written in simple, first-person narrative from inside Flora’s head, this story is a compelling and addictive read. It can sometimes be frustrating to read Flora’s repetitive thought processes but this unique voice gives the reader empathy with the incredibly frustrating world Flora lives in.
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a very unusual girl who fights against her constraints. I recommend it for readers aged 12 and over, particularly those who loved Wonder and Out of My Mind.
