Memory Board

If you haven't found this author of the "Canadian School" run, don't walk to find her books. Memory Board is a relevant and deep book about aging and how it effects our relationships -- family (a brother and sister, estranged until after their mother's death) and love relationships. Jane Rule is an excellent study of people, how they learn, hurt, love and grow. Is it a lesbian novel? Not sure what to say. The characters are not limited by their sexual orientation...life is real, and complex, for everyone.

Everything about this book is close to my heart. The writing, the characters, the writer. One of its kind which deals with a love so mature- both in terms of years and meaning. The story has a matter of factness to it, simple yet effective writing, without any pretenses, it is so touchy without the sappiness of the so called mainstream movies and books. Tugs your heart, that you keep thinking about it for a long long time after you have finished the book. I recommend this for everyone to read. Someone, please make a movie..... Absolute!!!!

I found MEMORY BOARD in the "free" box at a local yard sale, and I must say, it is by far the most valuable "find" I've had in years. This book - it's difficult for me to briefly describe how moving it was for me. The story itself touches me because of how deeply I treasure my own relationship with my brothers, and my best friend ("sister") -- especially as we all are experiencing the inevitable changes of aging. It also served to remind me of the creative strategies my brother and I employed to distract my dad from his confused rage in the midst of dementia in his closing years.The fine quality of the author's descriptions -- subtle sweetness of affection and tension between them all, characters living and long-gone, connected and estranged -- Ms. Rule's writing is just extraordinary. The development of character in this book is perhaps the best, the most fluid and completely textured that I've ever read. I care about these people, and have a sense of certainty of how much they care for one another. So sorry to reach the final page.... A heartfelt thank you to the author. Rest assured all of those I care deeply about will have the chance to read MEMORY BOARD.

An aging lesbian relationship, with one a woman without a memory and the other an overweight arthritic, does not sound like much of a story. But it actually holds a lot of promise. It challenges society with its carreer orientated, long term mindset and settles life in the here and now, with lots of enjoyment and love to go around. I enjoyed the down to earth, realistic implications for a woman/woman relationship. It actually quite touched my heart. Jane Rule does not make the easiest read, her language being complex and difficult at times. If you are looking for a story not just romantic, but heart warming and real, this one is for you.