MEMORIES LIVES HERE
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
THE COLUMBIAREVIEW.COM --FIVE STARS! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"This extraordinary work of fiction cleverly blends intrigue, mystery, and science fiction, leaving its readers pondering on the future of mankind, the kinds of technology it may produce, and their uses.
The story has three protagonists, and they are brothers. Josh, is a brilliant academic, a hermit geek who is leading a revolutionary secret AI project “CHERL” (Computerised Human Experience as Real Life,) which aims to bring back historical leaders to aid in modern decision making. Louie is all about appearance and trappings. He is an investment banker who lives in a high powered world, the proverbial swan serenely floating above water, whilst paddling like fury underneath. And then there is Donny, who was destined to become a star athlete, however life doesn’t work like that, instead he’s a twice divorced, fifty-two-year old programmer.
When their eighty-seven year old mother Ruth dies, it is Louie and Donny whose job it is to arrange the funeral, and closure of her life. Where is Josh? Well he has missed the whole thing, his important project is nearing completion, his bosses are demanding, and as many people are, he is too preoccupied in his life to even think of others, let alone pick up the phone when it rings.
Like most families there are skeletons in the cupboard, and during the house clearance Donny reflects on his obsession that their fathers death 30 years previously was suspicious, but how do you find the truth when everyone who was involved is now dead?
So many questions, yet even more disaster is set to throw the brothers personal lives and careers into turmoil. With their worlds set to implode, will the appearance of their mother’s secret diaries provide the answers?
This modern day world is steeped in technology. Everyone has become insular, with the pressures of modern day life, keeping up with the Joneses, and “having all the trappings of success” becoming all consuming. This thought-provoking story looks at humans as a race, delving into the frailties of our species, those things which make us human, and asks the question “Is there is a place for technology like CHERL in our future?”
This is such a clever story, not only will it keep its readers on the edge of their seats from the very first page, but at the end it will leave them reflective, and wanting to know more… Highly recommended!"
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Embracing thriller and investigative realms as well as being a psychological inspection of family secrets and relationships, Memories Live Here is a savant of several different genres. It will appeal to a wider audience interested in fresh, original writing, strong characterization, and an overriding mystery that delves into the heart of AI, addiction and the memories that cement family relationships.”
READERS FAVORITE SAYS FIVE STARS!
Memories Live Here is an incredible book. Marc Sheinbaum had me hooked in under a minute with an opening that is absolute fire and followed through with the compelling development and backstories of Josh, Louie, and Donny, who all have chutzpah to spare. The brothers share a balanced spread of moving the plot forward and are as authentic as any person standing right in front of you. The conversations between Louie and his no-b.s. wife Vicky are perfection, especially when she leans in hard. I loved all of their personalities, their casual f-bombs, and the diversity of motivations that holds the trio together by a common bond: the loss of their parents. Brotherhood. It's what keeps Louie from going to the Feds and provides Josh with the fodder needed to justify ambushing Donny to get the damn encryption code. This is one of the best reads I've invested my time in all year. Very highly recommended.
U. S. REVIEW OF BOOKS--RECOMMENDED
In this fast-paced fusion of soft science fiction and family drama, Sheinbaum explores the lives of three estranged brothers who are forced together after their mother's death. Josh Brodsky is a workaholic at a prestigious Silicon Valley company that seeks to bring the dead back to life through artificial intelligence (AI). Meanwhile, his two brothers, Louie and Donny, both have their own problems. The former is a gambling addict, and the latter is an entrepreneur that continues to fail whenever he tries to start a business.
Though they each live their own lives and have their own tribulations, their mother's death brings out a string of events that just might lead them to the truth about their father's death and more. Amid work complications and family quarrels, Sheinbaum explores the question of "If the dead could speak, what would they say?" and delivers a rather intriguing premise and plot. AI might just be the answer to their problems.
There is rarely a dull moment within the almost 300 pages of the book. Not only is the concept behind the technology interesting, but so too is the bit of mystery that ties everything together within the last one hundred pages. And though it may be hard to sympathize with the brothers at times because they are each flawed, they are expertly developed as chapters switch between their three third-person points of view. Most of all, the novel is well written and proof of Sheinbaum's talent in storytelling. In short, this tale is well worth the read.