The One Memory of Flora Banks

By: Emily Barr

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

It’s not a lie if you can’t remember the truth.

“Mesmerizing, electric, and achingly lovely, The One Memory of Flora Banks is unforgettable. One of the best YA novels I've read in a very long time.”
--Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

Seventeen-year-old Flora Banks has no short-term memory. Her mind resets itself several times a day, and has since the age of ten, when the tumor that was removed from Flora’s brain took with it her ability to make new memories. That is, until she kisses Drake, her best friend's boyfriend, the night before he leaves town. Miraculously, this one memory breaks through Flora's fractured mind, and sticks. Flora is convinced that Drake is responsible for restoring her memory and making her whole again. So, when an encouraging email from Drake suggests she meet him on the other side of the world—in Svalbard, Norway—Flora knows with certainty that this is the first step toward reclaiming her life.

But will following Drake be the key to unlocking Flora’s memory? Or will the journey reveal that nothing is quite as it seems?

Already a bestselling debut in the UK, this unforgettable novel is Memento meets We Were Liars and will have you racing through the pages to unravel the truth.


Praise for The One Memory of Flora Banks:

An EW Most Anticipated YA Novel of 2017

★ "[A] remarkable odyssey...an enthralling story...a deftly, compassionately written mystery.” —Booklist, starred review

★ "Barr’s tale mingles Oliver Sacks–like scientific curiosity with Arctic adventure and YA novel in a way that’s equally unsettling, winsome, and terrifying." —Horn Book, starred review

"Perfect for fans of both young adult romance and psychological thrillers, The One Memory of Flora Banks is destined to become one of your favorite beach reads of 2017. Promise." —Bustle

"Mesmerizing, electric, and achingly lovely, The One Memory of Flora Banks is unforgettable. One of the best YA novels I've read in a very long time." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

"Ultimately, this title will leave readers with a sense of hope and faith in the human spirit....A strong choice for YA shelves." —School Library Journal

"Flora’s situation may be singular, but her desire for autonomy should speak loudly to teens in the midst of their own journeys into adulthood." —Publishers Weekly

"An affecting portrayal of living with amnesia and discovering one's own agency." —Kirkus

"[T]his is [Barr's] first YA novel and it is a good one. It will not be forgotten by readers." —VOYA

"An extraordinarily moving and original novel, a story of secrecy and lie, love and loss that manages to be both heart-breaking and life-affirming...Barr’s first novel for teenagers...is as brave as Flora herself." —Daily Mail

"An icily atmospheric story...captivating...[a] pacy page-turner that packs a significant emotional punch." —The Guardian

Critic reviews

Praise for The One Memory of Flora Banks:

An EW Most Anticipated YA Novel of 2017

★ "[A] remarkable odyssey...an enthralling story...a deftly, compassionately written mystery.” —Booklist, *STARRED*

★ "Barr’s tale mingles Oliver Sacks–like scientific curiosity with Arctic adventure and YA novel in a way that’s equally unsettling, winsome, and terrifying." —Horn Book, starred review

"Perfect for fans of both young adult romance and psychological thrillers, The One Memory of Flora Banks is destined to become one of your favorite beach reads of 2017. Promise." —Bustle

"Mesmerizing, electric, and achingly lovely, The One Memory of Flora Banks is unforgettable. One of the best YA novels I've read in a very long time." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places

"Ultimately, this title will leave readers with a sense of hope and faith in the human spirit....A strong choice for YA shelves." —School Library Journal

"Flora’s situation may be singular, but her desire for autonomy should speak loudly to teens in the midst of their own journeys into adulthood." —Publishers Weekly

"An affecting portrayal of living with amnesia and discovering one's own agency." —Kirkus

"[T]his is [Barr's] first YA novel and it is a good one. It will not be forgotten by readers." —VOYA

"An extraordinarily moving and original novel, a story of secrecy and lie, love and loss that manages to be both heart-breaking and life-affirming...Barr’s first novel for teenagers...is as brave as Flora herself." —Daily Mail

"An icily atmospheric story...captivating...[a] pacy page-turner that packs a significant emotional punch." —The Guardian

Wonderful story! Well executed.

I would like to know more about anterograde amnesia. Flora is to this condition as Robin Williams is to aliens! She is endearing, if sometimes annoying but real. Many humanistic messages. Lovely as Emily Barr always is.

Heart eyes emoji

This book was light and heavy. It touches you in such a way you can’t help but keep it in your mind. Very honest and raw and heartbreaking in all the best ways. I’m so glad I purchased this and will listen again

Really enjoyed this.

Very original, bravo to the author who tackled the topic so sensitively and realistically. I read it slowly because i didn’t want to leave Flora’s head and all her unique thoughts and feelings.
The narrator was nothing short of spectacular.

Bad Ending

I loved the narrator and the storyline. However, the ending was quite abrupt and nothing at all like I imagined. it felt like the book wasn't finished

good but could have been great

I wish the autjor had spent a bit less time repeating the memory over and over again, and more time on the super interesting final part. unfortunate.