*I received a free copy of The Sudden Appearance of Hope from Redhook via BEA16. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North Published by Redhook on 17 May 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 480
Format: ARC
Source: BEA16
Listen.
All the world forgets me. First my face, then my voice, then the consequences of my deeds.
So listen. Remember me.
My name is Hope Arden, and you won't know who I am. We've met before - a thousand times. But I am the girl the world forgets.
It started when I was sixteen years old. A slow declining, an isolation, one piece at a time.
A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A teacher who forgets to chase my missing homework. A friend who looks straight through me and sees a stranger.
No matter what I do, the words I say, the people I hurt, the crimes I commit - you will never remember who I am.
That makes my life tricky. But it also makes me dangerous . . .
The Sudden Appearance of Hope is a fascinating novel, intricate, complex, and beautifully written. Are we still real if nobody else knows us?
The Sudden Appearance of Hope is dubbed as a fantasy, but I think it’s much closer to contemporary, with some light paranormal elements in some ways. Hope Arden is the girl / woman you’ll never know you met! From when she was 16 years old, people would forget her almost as soon as they looked somewhere else, and it was almost as if she didn’t exist at all. Both the story and the prose are very particular, and the peculiarity is one of the things that won me over and made me feel like there was more to the story than a woman who could disappear almost in plain view if she wished to do so.
Most of The Sudden Appearance of Hope happens ‘now’ but there are flash-backs to Hope’s past, both from when people remembered her, and from when they had already started to forget her. And how in the world would anyone be able to continue moving forward if nobody remembered us? No friends, family, teachers, lovers, bosses, or enemies. As soon as Hope was out of sight, she was so completely out of mind that people didn’t even remember having been with anyone – nor that they had spoken to anyone.
While Hope did try to us her own moral compass, there were instances where she had to cheat, lie and steal in order to survive. The only way anyone was able to remember anything about her was via written messages – either on the darknet or by e-mail. And while this made Hope feel very lonely and sometimes sad, it also made her feel strong and close to invincible. Her newest mission in life became to do her best to stop an app called perfection – not only an app for fun and games, but one where those who used it – almost religiously – could advance in their life, both when it came to their career, their personal life, their health, love, wealth, beauty… All could become perfection, but nobody understood at what cost.
Through her investigations, Hope met some very interesting people, some who were dangerous to her, others who were seemingly on her side. And once more, she found herself confronted with the fact that once she met people, they would forget her. However, at the same time, she needed to meet some people in person so she could decide whether she could trust them or not, and if she could trust them – how much. There is mystery, travel, intrigue, sex, scandal, death and longing, and The Sudden Appearance of Hope fascinated me from start to finish. Written in first person, past tense, Hope is the narrator of her own story, and this definitely makes sense, as all other characters forgot about her when she was not with them.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Hope’s friend,” I answered. “I was just staying the night.”
Silence
My mum, frozen in the kitchen door, broken egg shell oozing clear juice between her fingers.
“Who’s Hope?”
“Goodbye,” I said, and let myself out into the morning.
Now.
Now.
This time.
Now.
Now I’ll step out.
Now.
This car.
This truck.
Now.
And I didn’t move.
A pilgrim, of sorts.
Alone, you can lose yourself, or you may find yourself, and most of the time you do both.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
This sounds interesting, glad you liked it. 🙂
It was so unique, Stormi! And a little weird, so of course, I thoroughly enjoyed it 😀
Oooo this sounds crazy. In a good way! What an interesting story. I need to read this for sure!
Yes, a bit crazy, but in the best way, Christy! And very well done, too!
Twitter: ailynk
so she’s a professional spy thing? sounds like a good private investigator, I have once read a story about how this guy could be like her .. plain and easily forgotten..
Nope, she’s not a professional spy… because people actually forget they ever met her once they don’t see her for a couple of minutes. So impossible for her to work – as her boss wouldn’t know who she was :O
Twitter: ailynk
omg that is bad! maybe she needs a tatoo
It makes it very hard for her!!
I always love to have investigations, mystery and all so I confess that this one looks quite intriguing! thanks!
It was very intriguing, and definitely unique, Melliane.
Twitter: Kissinbluekaren
You totally convinced me to bump this up on my TBR. I am currently reading this because of your review. This sounds so good!
YAY, Karen! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Twitter: kbaby81
Sounds like an interesting read. Glad you enjoyed it!
It was really well done, Lekeisha.
I’m so sad I didn’t get this one at BEA and that you don’t live next door so I could walk over, borrow it, read it, and come back for coffee/champagne and a discussion of it. It sounds absolutely fascinating! Very thought-provoking and unique. *sigh* Oh well, I suppose I’ll have to pick it up for myself…then read it and meet you virtually for that coffee/champagne and discussion. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lexxie!
**BIG HUGS**
🙁 I’m sad you didn’t get this one at BEA, too, Brandee. And that I don’t live next door. Can you imagine how great it would be to be neighbors? It was really, really good, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well. And I’m off for a virtual coffee / champagne discussion whenever you are 😉 *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: talksupeblog
This is right up my alley! Woot! Fingers crossed my library has it because I am loving Hope’s unique… peculiarity
Oh Braine, I hope you’ll be able to get your hands on it!!
I was very quick to think this wouldn’t be for me but once I read your review and the blurb properly it sounds hella intersting. I want to read this now
It was really good, and very different, Lauren.
Oh boy. I have got to read this book. It sounds so out there and I have to know what happens to her! Off to check it out. I do have some book budget moola left. LOL
WooHoo Laura! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂