By Kaylie Seed
Lisa Jewell's novel The Truth About Melody Browne was first published in 2009 and is now, twelve years later, being relaunched. Jewell's novel follows Londoner and single mom Melody, who is just trying to get by in life. When Melody was nine years old, a fire destroyed her childhood home, and that is the only thing she remembers of her childhood. After going on a date to a hypnotist show, Melody starts having flashbacks of the life that she's been unable to recall. With these new flashbacks and memories, Melody decides to figure out what really happened to her in her childhood and ends up on a journey of self-discovery as she learns who Melody Browne truly is.
Not only is Melody trying to figure out who she was, she is also trying to figure out who she is in the present. Through flashbacks, the reader will have the opportunity to see Melody as she's growing up, and to see why she is the way she is as an adult. Jewell has created a brilliant story showing just how resilient we can be when life throws unexpected things our way. Melody has experienced great trauma throughout her childhood, so it only makes sense that she's repressed most of her childhood. Melody's childhood is also set during the 1970s and early 1980s, when mental health in general was not discussed openly like it is today.
Jewell’s writing was brilliant twelve years ago and still holds up today. The Truth About Melody Browne isn’t just a story about a woman who’s reclaiming her childhood, it’s a story about truth, redemption, strength, heartache, and finding out who you are and how your past impacts your present. There were a couple of things that felt like loose ends that were never tied up, but overall, this story is incredibly lovely and easy to read. The mystery behind Melody’s life will have the reader constantly wanting to know what is going to happen next and who exactly this Melody Browne is. A true master of her craft, Jewell has proven that her writing holds up a decade later, and that she will continue to create stories that leave the reader wanting more.
*Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.*