Amazon First Reads: Publish Date: April 2023
An intriguing, gripping tale of coercive control, and the social impact of such behaviour on families. OK, does not sound that original but believe me, this is not a standard relationship story. It is a refreshingly different read!
The Forgetting” is a domestic drama dealing with controlling and coercive behavior. The novel alternates between the stories of two central characters: Anna, in London, who has awoken from a car accident with no memory of her life before the crash, and first-time mother Livvy, in Bristol, who is looking to juggle the balance of childcare and a return to work. Both male partners are charmers but control their partner’s lives.
Initially, the two tales seem to be unrelated but in the latter half of the book, the essence of disparate tales begins to overlap. Certainly, the thriller element is only apparent toward the end of the novel but that does not detract from the story. Something is strange about both relationships, and it is obvious something is amiss and you are compelled to read on. You will keep developing theories but will not guess the final twist!
Good characters, easy to read (although there are some grammatical errors), and a climax you will not forget.
If you have not met Hannah before, here is her bio: Hannah Beckerman is a multi-talented individual, known for her work as an author, journalist, and broadcaster. With a wealth of experience in the literary world, she is a respected book critic and features writer, having contributed to several esteemed publications such as the Observer, the Guardian, and the FT Weekend Magazine. She is also a regular fixture at literary festivals and events throughout the UK, where she has chaired discussions and conducted interviews with numerous notable authors and public figures. As a book pundit, she has appeared on BBC Radio 2 and Times Radio, lending her insightful commentary and opinions on the latest literary offerings. Prior to embarking on her writing career, Hannah worked in television as a producer and commissioning editor, honing her skills in storytelling and content creation. Her latest offering, “The Forgetting,” marks her fourth novel, adding to her impressive repertoire of published works.
About the Author
Hannah Beckerman is an English author and journalist. She studied at King’s College London and Westfield College. She has worked with The Observer, The Guardian, the FT Weekend Magazine and The Sunday Express and has worked for twelve years in television including BBC’s The Big Read. Beckerman lives in London with her husband and daughter.
Hannah Beckerman in Order
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Rachel, Max, and their daughter Ellie had the perfect life—until the night Rachel’s heart stopped beating. She was thirty-six. Just…
Weil ich an uns glauben wollte (2017-07-21) | Fiction
Es ist Liebe auf den ersten Blick, als Bex und David sich auf einer Party treffen. Sie sind für einander…
If Only I Could Tell You (2019-02-21) | Fiction
A TWIST THAT WILL BREAK YOUR HEART . . . AN ENDING THAT WILL PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. ‘I…
Alle våre hemmeligheter (2019-08-22) | Fiction
En historie som vil knuse hjertet ditt – med en slutt som vil sette det sammen igjen … Alle familier…
Nur ein Wort von dir entfernt (2019-12-09) | Fiction
Zwei Schwestern, die innig verbunden sind. Und ein einziger Moment, der alles zerstört. Seit 30 Jahren haben die Schwestern Jess…
Si tan solo pudiera decírtelo (2020-01-16) | Fiction
Una historia conmovedora y edificante sobre una familia y sobre el perdón, que apelará a las lectoras de Jojo Moyes…
The Forgetting (2023-04) | Fiction
From the bestselling author of If Only I Could Tell You comes the story of two women determined to uncover…
Three Mothers (2025-05) | Fiction
A heartbroken mother When seventeen-year-old Isla Richardson is killed in a hit-and-run incident, a community’s lives are thrown into disarray….