The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch

The Song Remains the Same by Allison Winn Scotch

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Goodreads: One of only two survivors of a plane crash, Nell Slattery wakes in the hospital with no memory of the horrific experience-or who she is, or was. Now she must piece together both body and mind, with the help of family and friends, who have their own agendas. She filters through photos, art, music, and stories, hoping something will jog her memory, and soon, in tiny bits and pieces, Nell starts remembering. . . .


It isn't long before she learns to question the stories presented by her mother, her sister and business partner, and her husband. In the end, she will discover that forgiving betrayals small and large will be the only true path to healing herself-and to finding happiness.
My take: The book begins with Nell waking up in the hospital, hooked up to all kinds of stuff and people crying around her. She hears the words of a fiery plane crash and only two survivors. The other is a famous actor. Except she doesn't know him. She also doesn't know the woman who claims she is Nell's mother. Or the man crying and claiming he's her husband. Or the beautiful woman that is her sister. In fact, she has no recollection of herself at all.

So she is Nell Slattery. Through stories those closest to her tell her, she pieces together a picture of who this former Nell Slattery really is. What she discovers, however, is that everybody's version of their relationship with her or a history of them is skewed. Half-truths are shared as they attempt to manipulate the new Nell out of love and protection or self-preservation.

The interesting part about Nell's amnesia is that it is psychosomatic. Yes, she suffered from a brain trauma but for reasons unknown, she is not remembering who she is. As she uncovers who she was, she finds that the Nell before the crash needed a change.

I enjoyed the story itself. I enjoyed Nell's objective view of her life and the people around her without the emotional baggage a past would frame. I enjoyed the way each person revealed just what they wanted Nell to believe but then more of the truth revealed itself. I also enjoyed the way Nell decides what parts of her former self and her family baggage she keeps and lets go.

I enjoyed the book.

*I received a free copy of this book from publishing company in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.