A perfectly serviceable story memorable more for the circumstances of its creation, stemming as it does from Engel's brain damage. ( )

Very interesting. Detective has a blow to the head that causes symptoms similar to what the author had with a stroke. Author with Oliver Sacks of Man Who Forgot How to Read. ( )

I'm not a detective story fan, but after reading Howard Engel's memoir, The Man Who Forgot How to Read, I wanted to read The Memory Book. In real life, Mr. Engel suffered a stroke that left him with short-term memory problems and an inability to read.

In the Memory Book, Engel's series detective, Benny Cooperman, suffers the same disabilities resulting from a blow to the head. From the rehabilitation hospital, he tries to put together what happened to him and to solve the case that brought him to Toronto from his home town.

I found it fascinating how Mr. Engel described Benny's motivations and challenges. It gave me a deeper understanding of life after a brain injury. I was also so impressed by the way Mr. Engel was able to resume his career as a writer following his stroke.

And the story itself? Fast-moving, lots of characters/suspects, great dialogue. ( )

I was intrigued by the real story of the author's condition, which is given to the narrator of the novel; but,I couldn't get into the book at all. ( )