Forgotten: A Novel

I bought this book after reading some essays by the author on Huffington Post reviewing and recommending other books. Her criticism struck me as being sharp and witty -- so I must say I was a little disappointed with this book, not because it was bad or badly written but because it didn't really rise above the average.The set-up is promising. Hot-shot lawyer Emma Tupper goes on a trip to Africa, a journey her mother had always wanted to take. It was not to be for the mother who left Emma with a first-class ticket and a dying wish to take the trip. While she's there, she falls sick and then gets stranded for several months by an earthquake. Back home, she's presumed dead. All her clients and cases are divided up, her boyfriend starts shagging her greatest rival who also takes her office and her landlord rents out her apartment to the hunky Dominic. Already, we know where this is heading.To her credit, the author seems aware of the ritualistic path the plot seems to be taking. Emma at one point says: "You know, all those movies where someone has a near-death experience? And then they realize they always wanted to be a concert pianist or go sky-diving, and the guy who teaches them to jump from a plane is gorgeous and slightly lost, and they fall in love and live happily ever after."So McKenzie tries to play with the formula a little. It turns out that Emma hasn't changed that much, just a bit. She's realized the old boyfriend is not for her - but she still likes her job and a substitute male is already and waiting. He just has to get over an unconvincing broken heart and some commitment issues.Perhaps sensing that this doesn't amount to much of a plot or much of a book, the author throws in a little police mystery involving a stolen painting. The chapters on this sub-plot are pretty feeble and seem shoe-horned in from another genre.We know this is all going to end happily - but there isn't a lot of chemistry or passion in the central relationship. At least, we can be grateful that the author withholds the turgid details of their sexual encounters. And so we're left with a book in which the protagonist has a chance to make some major changes or even start over and ends up making some minor changes and carries on as before.

Emma Tupper has been so absorbed in her work as a lawyer on the partner track, that after her mother dies, she is reluctant to carry out her mother's wish: a bequest of a round trip ticket to Africa. It had been Emma's mother's desire to go to Africa; Emma cannot understand why her mother wanted her to go.Leaving behind the workaholic life, she is immediately caught up in an illness, followed by a devastating earthquake that leaves her cut off from all communication. Six months later, she finally returns home, but in place of her life as she knew it is a void where she once existed. She has been erased. Believing she had died, those in charge froze her bank accounts; her apartment was rented to someone else; and another lawyer, her nemesis Sophie, has taken over her office.As Emma discovers more about what being "erased" feels like, she slowly tries to reclaim her life. But even as she learns of one betrayal after another, she also begins to find out that, when life kicks your butt, you have a choice: you can start over and create something new.Following Emma's journey toward her newly recreated life is a wonderfully engaging exploration that had me turning pages quickly, wondering what would happen next. Will Emma keep working at the law firm, or will her newly found inspiration lead her elsewhere? Who is the young man in her old apartment, and how will he figure in her new life? What will her mother's best friend Sunshine help her discover within herself? Forgotten: A Novel  is an unforgettable story that engaged me from the very first page. I thoroughly enjoyed the witty dialogue; the rich characters felt real and familiar, as if I'd met them; and the mystery subplot showed the reader how smart Emma could be, even after all she'd experienced. I can't wait to see what this author will bring us next. Five stars.

I really don't like to leave a book unfinished, but I had to abandon this one only a short way through (and I am very glad that I only paid a very small amount for it). The story definitely falls into the chick lit category, even though it pretends to be otherwise. The characters lack depth and the story is loose and not very believable. I have lived in various countries throughout Africa for most of my life, and am usually very drawn to books where all or part of the story is set within the African continent - I was very disappointed with its depiction and presentation in the story. I also find it very hard to believe that the main character wasn't able to make contact with any of her friends and family while she was there. Anyway, I won't say anymore as I don't want to ruin the story for others, but if you are used to reading material with depth, then avoid this one.

I read this in two days on holiday and I was completely absorbed in the characters. I felt great empathy with the lead lady and could actively feel her sense of injustice. The romance was somewhat predictable but pleasant and the ending satisfying for me. Well worth reading in my humble opinion.

I enjoyed this book. The main character gets lost, mentally and physically. When she reappears life has moved on and things are not as they were. I got a bit frustrated by the 'will she, won't she' aspect of one of her relationships but on the whole it was a good read.

It started very promising but then I found that the book is more a romance book . I was expecting more thriller but that is only me . The book is good and I will recommended it. I am more hardcore reader that is why I only gave 3 stars .

My first novel by this author and will read more. Did take a while to get the plot but once that happened i just kept reading. I don't like spoil it for other readers but please have a go.