Memory and Oblivion

By: Paloma Sánchez-Garnica, Achy Obejas - translator

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

Paloma Sánchez-Garnica’s first novel to be translated into English is a beautiful, harrowing, and illuminating story of family betrayals and a last chance for forgiveness.

Carlota Molina has a brilliant career as a judge in Madrid, the respect of her peers, and an independent life. But it’s a life still haunted by the specter of a father she’s been estranged from for decades. Then one day Carlota gets a phone call from a familial stranger - her half sister, Julia - with an impassioned request. After years of pain and distance, Carlota’s father, Clemente, wants to see her before he dies...and to settle the past.

Seizing on the opportunity to confront all her disillusions, Carlota begins to unravel the lies and deception in her family history. Some secrets she knows, and some secrets she has yet to discover. It is up to Carlota to decide how much of a mark she will let those secrets leave.

©2018 Paloma Sánchez-Garnica. Translation © 2018 by Achy Obejas. Lyrics “Lo que ardió no volverá....” translated into English by Achy Obejas from the song “Hasta Mañana” in the album Album 1966–67 by Luis Eduardo Aute, © 1967, reprinted by permission of Luis Eduardo Aute and Dos Passos Agency. Lyrics “Tarde, muy tarde, no me digas....” and “Tarde, muy tarde, tarde para remediarlo....” translated into English by Achy Obejas from the song “Tarde, muy tarde” in the album Alma by Luis Eduardo Aute, © 1984, reprinted by permission of Luis Eduardo Aute and Dos Passos Agency. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Ignore it

Boring too long a drama, soap opera styly, could be told in a lot less pages

What A GEM!!

This book is a must read/listen from start to finish. The author weaves so must beauty and intrigrue throughout the entire book. I found myself immersed in each and every character and found it interesting to see how each one was coneected to the other. Lastly, it is the type of book that compells you to ask questions of yourself; not only of your own family relationships but of the role you play for good or bad. Bravo to the author and the fabulous narrator. I hope to see more from Paloma Sanchez-Garnica.