
The Impossible Knife of Memory
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Narrated by:
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Julia Whelan
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Luke Daniels
Despite my best intentions, I was beginning to understand how my dad saw the world. The shadows haunting every living thing. The secrets inside the lies wrapped in bullshit. Even Gracie’s box of pills was beginning to make sense.
For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road, trying to outrun the memories that haunt them both. They moved back to Andy’s hometown to try a “normal” life, but the horrors he saw in the war threaten to destroy their lives. Hayley watches, helpless, as her father turns to drugs and alcohol to silence his demons. And then her own past creeps up, and everything falls apart.
How do you keep your father alive when death is stalking him? What are you supposed to do when your parent stops acting like an adult? And what happens if a sweet guy who can make you laugh barges his way into your world and for the first time, you find yourself thinking about the future?
Timely, compelling, surprising — this is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest.
©2014 Laurie Halse Anderson (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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The panic in the character’s vioces
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All the Feelings
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It was a surprise - and I LOVE this author
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This my first Laurie Halse Anderson book, but it won't be my last!This book is advertised with an emphasis on its darker aspects and the fact that it's an "issue book," and indeed it was very intense and raw in parts. This was complemented with stunningly poetic writing - it hit hard.
However, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it also had a perfect balance of lighter aspects - a smart though imperfect heroine (best kind) and a fantastic but realistic love interest/relationship. These things in combination with the moments of poetry and moments of intensity and - oh yeah - the fact that I was so ADDICTED to this book that I practically read it in one sitting - make it an instant favorite and an experience I will not forget.
I was very pleased by the narrator, her voices and intonation were subtle but spot on.
An Instant Favorite
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character development
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Hayley and her father Andy have never put down roots – Andy is a truck driver who home-schooled Hayley on the road. But now Andy thinks it’s time to settle in to his hometown so Hayley can attend high school. Andy is a war veteran with severe PTSD from his time serving in Iraq. Hayley grew up without a mom and has had to in many ways be the parent to her dad. He has daily struggles, and his flashback triggers bring on alcohol and drug abuse, and Hayley has to stay on top of him to take care of his basic needs.
Considering that Hayley has far more adult responsibilities than her peers, it’s hard for her to relate to the carefree students (she calls them zombies) at school. She doesn’t have the luxury of planning for college like the other students – who will look after her dad?
We get a glimpse of Andy’s state of mind through brief chapters in his POV. It’s clear he is in a troubled state of mind, but he chooses to self-medicate to cope rather than accept the medical and counseling help he needs.
Hayley has two non-zombie friends, her neighbor Gracie, and Finn, a nice guy at school who sees through to the real Hayley. Finn surprises Hayley by having demons of his own, and that helps to strengthen their bond.
Another complicated relationship is with Hayley’s sort-of stepmother Trish, who broke Hayley’s heart by walking out on the family. Now that she’s back in the picture, can Hayley forgive her and accept her help?
Andy and Hayley have a lot of healing to do and I wanted them to get the support they needed. Hayley is smart and funny and could have a bright future but she is in this holding pattern. She loves her dad dearly but doesn’t know how to help him at this point. Can she dare to hope for something more for her future- could she walk away?
Julia Whelan performs the nine-hour audiobook, with Luke Daniels performing Andy’s chapters. I’ve listened to Julia Whelan many times, and she’s good at inhabiting her characters. She performs Laurie Halse Andersons’ lyrical words with care and helps the story shine. And Luke Daniels illustrates Andy’s tortured state of mind with his delivery. This is a powerful story made more so by the riveting audio performance.
Laurie Halse Anderson has still got it, and her latest heavy-hitter doesn’t disappoint. Strong voice, character development, and story – you’re missing out if you’re not reading her books.
Powerful and Riveting
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eh...alright
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Anderson has written another winner, narrated by Hayley's strong voice. Hayley is, at first, a difficult character to embrace. She's angry, rebellious, and unfriendly cloaked in a protective facade to keep from being hurt again. She's very flawed, but slowly allows others into her difficult world. Any teenager who's ever had to take care of an alcoholic or mentally ill parent will find Hayley realistic and believable, but teens who haven't had similar experience will also get a glimpse of someone who appears different, for good reason, and realize we never know what someone else is actually dealing with. I recommend this book for teens and adults who like realistic YA fiction.
Excellent narration speeds up a slow story
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Excellent performance, story a little long
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What did you like best about The Impossible Knife of Memory? What did you like least?
I really enjoyed the narration. The narrator did a really good job of voicing each character and the pacing was great.What was most disappointing about Laurie Halse Anderson’s story?
I have read Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak" and was impressed by that story. I assumed that this would also impress me. It did not. Hayley is a self-centered brat who only really thinks about herself. She doesn't develop as a character and remains a whiny teenager who has no sympathy for really anyone, even, I dare say, her own father.Was The Impossible Knife of Memory worth the listening time?
The narration: Yes The story: NoThe Impossible Knife of Memory
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