Memphis Reads Archive

Fiction/Romance

Andrea Bledsoe reviews SOUVENIR by Therese Fowler (Ballantine Books, 2008)


When I received an advance copy of this debut novel by Therese Fowler in my mailbox, it was like Christmas in the spring. Anyone who knows me is aware how much of an avid reader I am, so if I receive any free books, it’s all the better! But, rarely, do I find a book as incredible as this one. This coming from someone who has read hundreds of books- easily! I hope this review does justice to a great book.

This is the story of Meg Powell and Carson McKay, who grew up as neighbors on adjoining farmland and eventually became a long-term couple. The people in their small, rural Florida community had reason to believe the two would always be together. But, just as Meg turns 21, a more prominent citizen in the small town proposes marriage. Seeing the proposal as a way to help her family keep their acreage, Meg accepts it. The marriage ultimately changes Carson’s life as well as Meg’s.

Seventeen years later, Meg has settled into the routine of marriage, her medical practice, and trying to pacify everyone around her. Carson has resurfaced in the small town as a rock star planning a wedding to a younger woman. Meg’s diagnosis of ALS (more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Carson’s unexpected arrival throw giant curveballs in her daily routine. Reaching out to her loved ones and ridding her life of those she cannot rely on, Meg does an emotional housecleaning.

This is a very powerful story about two people who rely on the love they had shared in the past to help make the present and, hopefully, the future that much more special. As I stated earlier, this was Therese Fowler’s first novel. I am eagerly awaiting more works from her!


Andrea Bledsoe, Poplar-White Station Branch Library

Labels: Reviews by Andrea King