“The Impossible Knife of Memory” tears into 2014 (Review)
Anderson, author of bestseller “Speak,” released a new novel.
Released on January 7, “The Impossible Knife of Memory” captivates readers with its fierce, yet heartfelt voice.
January 21, 2014
2014 is off to a wonderful start: Laurie Halse Anderson released her newest Young Adult novel, The Impossible Knife of Memory, on January 7.
Anderson’s recent release has already received much praise.
“As in Speak, Anderson provides a riveting study of a psychologically scarred teenager. . . absorbing,” Publishers’ Weekly said in their starred review.
The Impossible Knife of Memory is told from the voice of Hayley Kincain, a 17 year old teenager, whose father is a war veteran and suffers from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Hayley must take care of the house and her father while already contending with her schoolwork.
Hayley undergoes the typical problems of a teenager, but her voice and perspective contribute to a refreshing take on Young Adult literature.
The story begins with Hayley saying, “It started in detention. No surprise there, right?”
Immediately, the reader suspects that Hayley is rebellious and careless, yet her character is much more than what the reader is lead to believe.
The New York Times acknowledges Anderson’s honest storytelling through Hayley’s voice, stating that “[her] portrayal of families broken by war, death, divorce, and addiction is stark.”
Despite the novel’s dark and heavy plot, there is a love story that its readers can enjoy. Hayley befriends Finnegan Ramos after reluctantly attending his tutoring sessions in pre-calculus, and she realizes that he has problems of his own — but when together, they discover that things are not as difficult as they appear.
Anderson’s other novels have received critical acclaim and are acknowledged by libraries, schools, and communities nationwide.
In fact, Speak (1999), her first novel about a girl whose rape renders her silent, is on the summer reading list for 9th graders at Carlisle High School.
“Few things have resonated with me through the years as much as [Speak],” senior Mallory Chaney said.
In a similar vein to Speak, The Impossible Knife of Memory captivates its readers with its sharp and honed narrative. If her newest book is any indication, 2014 will be an incredible year for Young Adult literature.
Camera Bailey • Nov 19, 2021 at 8:46 am
I absolutely loved “Speak”, however, I am biased because I like media (books, poems, movies, etc) that address hard hitting topics that may sometimes be deemed controversial. I typically don’t pick up books relating to war and such because it doesn’t grab my attention, but this review may have changed my mind.
Jennifer Schaeffer • Jan 27, 2014 at 8:29 am
This books sounds so captivating and I can’t wait to read it! After reading your reviews on it I know that it will be a great books to just sit down and relax to! Can’t wait to see my own view of the book.
Janie Haseman • Jan 21, 2014 at 11:41 pm
This book sounds both fantastically written as well as a tad on the saddening side–which is a description I feel as though personifies many of Anderson’s books. I think this book sounds really good. It is interesting how this book seems as though it reflects the wounds of both a nation at war as well as one girl’s own war to stay strong (or at least that’s kind of the plot idea I got out of this). Great review!