Memories of Now

A group of university “friends” have a reunion after 35 years at a hotel in Scotland, one of their friends has passed away, and the rest have come together to see what each other looks like, and have become of themselves. Colin, was the character whom arranged the reunion, and the book was told from the point of view of Adam, including his thoughts and mental processes.

With a very philosophical view on their reunion, and the world, they each slowly reveal a little more of themselves and what they have been up to, their relationships with Adam, and their memories of university. Regrets, actions, how they had been perceived. All their perceptions they had of one another, and have now. Have they changed, really? Were they really friends, did they really know each other, or were they just a group of people who hung out together at uni?

As the story develops, it becomes apparent that a new friendship is forming or forging with Adam and two of the university group (Ana and Frank). One Adam wanted to see and be with even at university, the other, he realised they had a lot in common and wanted to keep in touch. The rest of the group were little interested in each other’s lives and spending time together as friends, really. There was this sense that they didn’t actually want to be there, together.

The last chapter see’s Frank, one of the friends tell the end of the story from his point of view, after some shocking news about a couple of characters in the group. Going back to the same hotel in Scotland 10 years after the reunion, Frank goes to relive the thoughts conjured up by his conversation with Adam about his time and love in Iran.

Memories of Now was an interesting read, quite complex, quite intensely told, had a somber tone, and an undertone of different feelings, things not said. It is something different, and probably somewhat a realistic read, of life of university “friends” when they meet again years later in life.

Loveable characters and an interesting plot about an university reunion,some thought provoking ideas are expressed throughout the book.Sad in some places,about loss youth and dreams,in some parts it became difficult to understand each character development,and actions not spoken about but glazed the surface .
All in all a thought provoking book,definitely not a summer read.

Engaging and interesting; Keshavarz's novel is the ideal summer read, with sympathetic characters and absorbing plot.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.