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The Memory Cage

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 66 ratings · 25 reviews

Alex's grandfather keeps forgetting things. Desperate to help him remember, Alex starts collecting old photographs. But as Alex digs into his grandfather's past, he stumbles across secrets that have been buried since World War II. Uncovering the truth could save Grandad... but it might also tear Alex apart.

Paperback, 240 pages

Published January 3rd 2011 by Scholastic

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Jan 25, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is another book that I had to read for 'Book Day' at work that's happening in March. Two of my colleagues had read it before me and they both seemed to really love it.
This is definitely not my type of book. Alex is adopted, he was rescued from the war in Bosnia. His adopted Grandad is losing his memory and keeps having accidents or incidents. Alex takes it upon himself to try and help his grandad his 'brother/sister' don't seem interested and his 'parents' just want to put him in a home. Al...more

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Mar 16, 2011 Sharon Goodwin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is such a sensitively written story for children aged 10 or over focussing on the Smith family and secrets that affect it’s foundations.

Part 1 opens with the family at breakfast. We are shown how protective Alex is of his grandfather Richard. We know there is something Alex is trying to hide in connection with Richard and willing him to remember to eat. This is our first introduction to Alzheimers and straight away we are involved with the emotions that engenders. At the same time, we are...more This is such a sensitively written story for children aged 10 or over focussing on the Smith family and secrets that affect it’s foundations.

Part 1 opens with the family at breakfast. We are shown how protective Alex is of his grandfather Richard. We know there is something Alex is trying to hide in connection with Richard and willing him to remember to eat. This is our first introduction to Alzheimers and straight away we are involved with the emotions that engenders. At the same time, we are made to think how children may see an adopted child (Alex) as an intrusive element into a family unit with the resultant verbal bullying (and later physical as well). I must admit, even though I could understand Leonard and his actions, I really didn’t like his character – but I did have a change of heart later in the story!

I loved the relationship Alex had with his grandfather. Despite the Alzheimers and Richard scaring him a few times, there was still a feeling of these two belonging together. I felt the symptoms of Alzheimers were true-to-life. I had tears a few times when empathising with how the Smith family, including granddad, were affected.

The story flips backwards in time to when Alex was being hunted as a result of the Yugoslavian wars. This is quite central to understanding Alex and how he reacts in certain situations. These flashbacks are written at just the right time, weaving around the secrets that are being uncovered.

The way Ruth Eastham wrote the clues for solving the secrets were brilliantly timed and certainly made me think and try to guess where the story was taking me.

Despite the many threads to this story it is so well written that at no point are you feeling ‘lost’ as the skill of Ruth Eastham has woven them into a whole.

The story for me was not only about a family uncovering its secrets and becoming whole because of the revelations but also of a ‘lost’ child finding himself ……………. and also becoming whole.

I love the way the story finished as it opened bringing us full circle but this time with a different thought, a different outcome. What’s your earliest memory?

At the end of the story in my copy of the book, there are websites mentioning Alzheimers, adoption and the Yugoslavic conflict, all child friendly of course – what a brilliant idea!
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Jan 23, 2013 Michele rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-books

Star parts: The main characters are lovingly crafted and created. Alex tells the story in first person. Through the key scenes he describes we gain an understanding of the Grandfather's bewilderment and pain. Richard (the Dad) is developed concisely. Leonard is a truly evil antagonist, but you are still given room to understand why he might feel that way and the ending allows him to experience growth. There is no showing in this story. It is the dialogue and action that allows the story and the...more Star parts: The main characters are lovingly crafted and created. Alex tells the story in first person. Through the key scenes he describes we gain an understanding of the Grandfather's bewilderment and pain. Richard (the Dad) is developed concisely. Leonard is a truly evil antagonist, but you are still given room to understand why he might feel that way and the ending allows him to experience growth. There is no showing in this story. It is the dialogue and action that allows the story and the reader's understanding of the characters.

Another strength of the writing is that clues are littered throughout the story, so that like Alex, the reader is beginning to piece things together. The reader and Alex all gain understanding at the same time, which gives us the reader a very strong emotional link. At the end when Alex realises he also must face the past, I was bawling my eyes out. I won't say anything more about the end, but I felt entirely satisfied (if a little damp) by the resolution.

Black clouds: I had to re-read the first two pages, as seven characters were introduced and I found that a little overwhelming. By the end I still wasn't entirely sure whether Victoria had a place in the book, she didn't do much and didn't move the plot along, but I was willing to put up with her.

I have to admit that I quite like action, so I found the first part of the book a little slow.

Do I recommend it: Yes. When I read children's or YA fiction for personal enjoyment I read fantasy or action, so this was stepping out of my comfort zone, but once the story really kicked in I couldn't stop reading.

With my teacher head on it's a great read for dealing with issues such as Alzheimer's disease, adoption and the concept of peace and conflict. I would recommend it to individual readers who showed interest in any of these subjects and will defintely be lending it to the stronger readers in my class.

Having said that, I'm very aware that Ruth Eastham is a debut writer, and on the strength of the end of the book, this is an author to look out for. I personally, can't wait to see what comes next. (less)

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Jan 24, 2011 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Alex is from Bosnia and was adopted by his family after the War. He lives with his Mum, Dad, brother and two sisters and also his Grandfather who he loves very much.
Grandad is acting strangly, he has Alzheimer's Disease and his memory is failing, sometimes he does not recognise Alex, or he gets angry, or he puts the rest of the family in danger.
It's only a matter of time before Alex's parents will send Grandfather to live at the Sunflower Home and Alex is devastated at the thought of losing his...more

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Jul 26, 2011 DubaiReader rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, young-adult, vine

YA / Adult crossover book.

This was such a touching book, I can quite see why it has been attracting such excellent reviews.
There is also a lot squeezed into its 240 pages.

Alex is a wonderful character, with an unusual background - he was a survivor of the Balkan wars, having lost all his family in the atrocities. He was adopted into the Smith family at the age of 6, suddenly finding himself with an older sister and a brother of the same age, plus little Sophie who is born later. Although he tr...more

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Jan 24, 2011 SJH (A Dream of Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, for-review

'The Memory Cage' is a debut novel by British author Ruth Eastham, who has been compared to Michael Morpurgo. That's high-praise indeed but it's also well-deserved. It's a powerful and emotional story, dealing with universal themes such as family and war.

Alex was adopted from Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. He's formed a close bond with his new Grandad, who rescued him and brought him to England. Alex loves his Grandad immensely but his grandfather's memory is failing and he's in danger of bei...more

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Dec 01, 2010 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books, uk-author

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book but I was drawn to it initially because it was compared to Michael Morpurgo's work in its style. While it's wise on some occasions to take such comparsions with a pinch of salt in this particular case it was totally justified. The story is both beautiful and multi-faceted.

What I liked about this book is that even though it is aimed a a younger teenade audience it deals with a few issues in an accessible way. The first issue it deals with is...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Hp Tan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile, favourites

Alex is an adopted boy who is very close to his granddad William. Eastham tackles issues like dealing with Alzheimer's, adoption, war in a beautiful and smooth manner that had me crying at the end of the book. I truly enjoyed it and thought it a wonderful book. It was classified as Children (ages 12 and below) but I still read it, and I'm glad I did. =) There are elements of 'family secrets'; 'overcoming the past', etc. that I usually love and it was not cliche at all. The Memory Cage was a most...more

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Mar 18, 2011 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

What a delightful story this is. In almost 22 pages the action is focused in the kitchen and the garden shed, but there is never a dull moment. Ruth Eastham demonstrates her powers of observation of the child's world in the totally believable dialogue and thought processes that she gives to her characters. The early morning kitchen scene on a busy Saturday morning is so much what we have all experienced...reading it here will make you laugh as you see yourself in the mirror of the character's ac...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Anthony Burt rated it 2 of 5 stars

About an adopted Bosnian boy called Alex and his relationship with his grandfather, this is a poignant, honest and straight-down-the-line portrayal of a family coping with dementia. Alex is the only one who seems to believe his grandfather’s rants, strange behaviour and old stories from the war – because of his own awful past – and so they have a beautiful, intricate, close and inspiring relationship that is really a story about growing up. A short read, which does sag a bit at the end, but is w...more

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Feb 07, 2011 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've just finished this one and loved it! Definitely on a par with Boy in the Striped Pyjamas for me!

Alex is a fabulous young character, and you just root for him throughout! And Grandad's confusion is written so vividly, you can feel it! I thought it dealt with it's various issues (WW2, the Bosnian war and Alzheimers) in a brilliant way, young enough to be understood by the target audience, but without sugar coating the horrors of them at all, which I feel some kids books can do!

I shall defini...more

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Feb 26, 2011 YA Reader rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Memory Cage is a hugely impressive debut that reminded me of the work of Michael Morpurgo (one of my favourite children's authors). Eastham has combined successfully difficult and challenging themes as diverse as war, adoption, Alzheimer's disease and disability. It shouldn't really work but it just does, superbly. It's not too hard to read but the themes do make you think hard and at times the book is rather upsetting.

One of the book's strongest elements is the characters. The protagonist,...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Lisa (scarlet21) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Alex is the adopted Bosnian son of the Smith family, which includes Grandad William. There are some interesting parallels between their lives - Grandad was caught up in WW2 and lost people he loved. Alex was a victim of the Bosnian was and the only remaining member of his family. Both feel they are to blame for the deaths of their loved ones and draw a blanket over their memories...unfortunately for Grandad he has Alzheimers which along with fading memory brings sudden stark reminders of the pas...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Jesse Owen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

The memory cage is like no other book I have read before, YA or otherwise – it tackles head on an issue which effects a number of families (and I suspect will continue to effect growing numbers of families as the population gets older). The issue of memory loss (or alzheimer’s).

What makes this book so different is that we get to see all this through the eyes of Alex, a young boy who has more than enough to deal with for somebody his age. He and his Granddad over the years have formed a really cl...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Miss Page Turner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-debut-author-challenge, review-copy, reviewed, zum-tauschen, new

The Memory Cage is a story about a granddad who fears loosing his memories over an illness and his grandson who cannot forget his past, although it’s the only thing he wishes for.

This novel is told from Alex’ point of view, an ordinary teenager from the outside, that appears to be a troubled child on the inside. Being subject to terrifying memories of his past and psychical games in the present, he still appears very mature and like a grown- up, especially when it comes to protecting his grandad...more
The Memory Cage is a story about a granddad who fears loosing his memories over an illness and his grandson who cannot forget his past, although it’s the only thing he wishes for.

This novel is told from Alex’ point of view, an ordinary teenager from the outside, that appears to be a troubled child on the inside. Being subject to terrifying memories of his past and psychical games in the present, he still appears very mature and like a grown- up, especially when it comes to protecting his grandad. Alex is very sensitive, caring and responsible always trying to help him.

I do not read many Middle Grade novels, because I always tend miss a connection to the main protagonist, that is much younger than I am, but Alex made me immediately like him. He’s the underdog and I care for him.

Alex and his grandfather share a very intimate relationship. And when his parents want to put grandpa in an old peoples’ home because his Alzheimer’s is getting worse each day, Alex is determined to find a way to scatter their plans and bring back his grandfather’s memory not knowing what hidden secrets he might come across.

On their journey, willing or unwilling, to the past Alex and his grandfather ,William Smith have their funny and sad moments. Their relationship warms my heart, because it never appears constructed, but always very realistic. Grandad has his secrets and just as Alex I couldn’t wait to reveal them.

I hadn’t imagined William’s Alzheimer’s to be too hard to read about, as I haven’t come in contact with such an illness before, but at some point when he keeps forgetting major things and even big parts of his daily life I became extremely sad, unterstanding the terrible impact of such an illness.
Alzheimer’s is presented in an informative way, giving for MG appropriate and understandable basic information about the illness.

In addition it also addresses the topic of war, making it accessible with a certain example, discussions and conflict potential within the Smith family.

This novel is such a precious debut because it deals with most important and high sensitive topics that must affect one. The Memory Cage encourages young teens to think about what’s important in life, to be an active part in political debates and generational exchanges.

THE VERDICT

The Memory Cage- A meaningful debut about the delicate balancing act between present and past, fear and courage, loosing or finding oneself!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Memory Cage, it made me smile and frown, hope and fear and on some pages I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my face.
This novel has feeling and personality and is not only a recommendable read for Middle Grade students, but for all age groups. (less)

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Feb 03, 2011 Teresa rated it 5 of 5 stars

In this, Ruth Eastham’s very impressive debut novel for children/young teenagers, she takes on a variety of “big” themes, all of which revolve around suppressed memories and the risks involved in unravelling them.

Our narrator is young Alex (Alexandru) who was adopted by an English family, 6 years previously, having been orphaned during the Bosnian War. It is clear that Alex has not come to terms with the trauma which preceeded his adoption and that this is hindered by his older sibling, Leonard...more In this, Ruth Eastham’s very impressive debut novel for children/young teenagers, she takes on a variety of “big” themes, all of which revolve around suppressed memories and the risks involved in unravelling them.

Our narrator is young Alex (Alexandru) who was adopted by an English family, 6 years previously, having been orphaned during the Bosnian War. It is clear that Alex has not come to terms with the trauma which preceeded his adoption and that this is hindered by his older sibling, Leonard who take great pleasure in bullying him, calling him “Bosnia Boy”" and “Charity Case”. In the midst of all this, Alex and Leonard’s grandfather keeps on forgetting things and Alex has overheard his parents discussing putting William, the grandfather, into a home. Alex takes on the mission of helping William to remember the past, especially events which took place during World War II, in the hope that, by remembering, William will avoid being taken away from the family.

As the story unfolds, we gradually come closer and closer to the truth, both for William and Alex, and such revelations are destined to come at a high emotional cost for all the family members and indeed for friends and neighbours too. I thought the characterisation was spot on. Alex is a sensitive, young chap, who, on the surface, seems unscathed by past events. The family dynamic is also portrayed very well with an array of siblings, all with their own distinct personalities and busy parents who are trying to hold everything together despite William’s obvious deterioration. Alex assigns himself the daunting task of trying to “fix” things and, in so doing, uncovers a veritable nest of vipers but it quickly becomes evident that, in order to “heal”, the hurts of the past must be confronted. Perhaps his investigations are part of a displacement technique to avoid confronting his own demons, but his heart is most definitely in the right place.

I was extremely impressed by this debut novel which is on a par with Michael Morpurgo’s best work, high praise indeed in a market where many try to emulate the “master” but inevitably fail miserably. I will be passing on my copy to my children and will highly recommend it to librarians and our local primary and secondary schools. This is most definitely a classic in the making and I will be keen to see what Ruth comes up with next!

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Jan 05, 2012 Keranjit Kaur rated it 5 of 5 stars

A moving story about an adopted boy and his relationship with his grandfather, who has developed Alzheimer's disease. The boy is from Bosnia. In parts this story is heart breaking and in others quite funny as the Alzheimer's impacts on the grandfather and the rest of the family. The issue of conflict and war is discussed in this book too. The author has dealt with difficult issues in a sensitive way.

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Aug 11, 2010 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars

A beautifully written, touching and emotive story of a young boy trying to look out for his ill grandfather.
As Alex helps to unravel the family's past, he also relives the memories he has of being a young child living in Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars. His heartache and pain is so real, you can't help but feel helpless as he tries to save his family.
The author has been compared to Michael Morpurgo and with good reason too, never before have I felt so emotionally tethered to a book. Ruth Eastham...more

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May 20, 2012 Safiyya rated it 4 of 5 stars

I gave this book a **** because I think that this book had a story-line which was rather simple to guess. I think that as soon as I started to read this book, it drew me in, but then the story became easier to assume what was happening and that the description was mediocre - so not worth much credit. However, if developed better, this book could have been a big hit. I do like the way Ruth Eastham entwined Alzheimer's Disease into The Memory Cage. Therefore, I could not give it full marks.

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Jul 27, 2011 Ruth added it

Recommended by a 10 year old...and it reduced me to tears! A moving account of an orphan from Bosnia desperate to forget his past, whilst trying to help his adoptive grandfather keep memories alive as alzheimer's takes hold.

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Feb 15, 2012 Nikki Heath rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not the strongest book I have ever read, but thought that whilst it starts off slowly, it quickly picks up the pace. Overall, quite thought provoking and a sensitive insight into the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.

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Jan 25, 2011 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Will review later...

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Dec 06, 2012 Hannah rated it 1 of 5 stars

BORING!!! No romance and very depressing :(

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Oct 12, 2010 Bungle Midnight Reads rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! It was full of love & mystery. I thought the subject matter was handled well and I really warmed to the family and felt like I was drawn into their everyday lives.

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Feb 20, 2013 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-review

The Memory Cage is a powerful novel exploring themes of war and conflict and the reality of living with Alzheimers.

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May 24, 2013 Chris is currently reading it

May 24, 2013 Angeline marked it as to-read

Shelves: waiting-by-my-bed-to-be-opened

May 17, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 16, 2013 Ahmed marked it as to-read

Mar 27, 2013 Venus Ng marked it as to-read

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