The Memory of Time

by C.H. Lawler

1936

Shreveport, Louisiana

Pretty young New Yorker Miriam Levenson finds herself here employed in the only job she can get - interviewing the elderly for the Roosevelt Administration’s Federal Writers Project. Among the people she meets are an aging Civil War hero, a French Muralist and his common-law wife, and a ninety-five-year-old Irish immigrant named Bridget Fenerty, a woman who has known tragedy and refused to buckle under it.

Winter turns to spring, and Miriam finds there are people in this town who have secrets. And as she is followed by a mysterious man in a black Cadillac, Miriam finds that she, too, has a secret.

Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Harry Wingfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memory of time is now one of my favorite books. I love historical fiction. This book is two for the price of one. You have the story of a young Jewish girl from New York, fresh out of college, who takes a job with Roosevelt's WPA to collect oral history from elderly people in Shreveport, Louisiana. From the oral history, we get the story of young Irish immigrant girl who ends up touching countless lives in Shreveport, including the life of the woman interviewing her. The characters are so well drawn that I fell in love with all of them. I'm glad it was a long book, because I didn't want it to end. I hope to read more of C. H. Lawler's books.

[Gina LoBue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Miss Bridget…and explore a life that inspires you to become a better person…

The Memory of Time is a wonderfully crafted novel depicting the lives of intertwining female characters while revealing the true meaning of friendship, compassion and endurance. Through intriguing plot twists and exquisite character development, the reader is both mesmerized and inspired. C.H. Lawler possesses quite the ability to tell a tale and with The Memory of Time, he has created another must read!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't give a fiddler's fart about your righteous cause." The sweeping saga of the history of our country and world events from the mid 1800s through the 1990s told from the perspectives of two extraordinary, intelligent women who don't seem to have much in common at first, but are more alike than some family members in the end. I recommend the audio version so you can hear the laugh of 94 year old Bridget Finnerty which made me smile every time with its impish giggle. For example, when Bridget stripped naked to go swimming, looked behind her and then looked down her front and decided that her "tits were dejected for her ass," then laughed all the way into the water. For fans of The Boston Girl, historical fiction, literary fiction, and stories with strong female lead characters.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because it the setting for the majority of the book is in my hometown, and I love historical fiction. I fell in love with this book. It is one of those books that just stays with you long after reading it.
The characters are so well developed that I feel as though I knew them. The author guides you from the present, being 1936 in Shreveport, to the past in a way that kept me turning the pages long after I should have fallen asleep.
The fictional characters are interwoven with real historical facts and events so perfectly that the time, people and places come alive.

[Gayle Juneau-Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

And, just like that, this book made it to NUMBER ONE on my list of 2017 reads!

[Chelsea K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow a talented artist to remind you of the raw beauty that builds humanity.

“If it hadn’t been the worst time of my life, it would have been the best.” -C. H. Lawler

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical novel made more so for me by being set primarily in Shreveport, Louisiana where I lived for three years in my youth and where many of my relatives still reside. The story pivots from a young woman interviewing a 100 year old woman as part of the Federal Writers Project; part of the Roosevelt WPA system. Spanning decades that include Irish Immigration, the Civil War, gender roles, religion, discovery of oil in northern Louisiana makes for an interesting tale.

[Charlotte Lundell Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narration by Grainne Brookfield added so much to my enjoyment of this book. I loved the historical underpinnings of the plot (especially as it related to the unique experience of Irish immigrants and the racism and prejudice they experienced) and getting to know the characters; very lovable. I would have loved the book to be just about Bridget Fenerty; I found myself not very interested in Miriam Levenson's story and anxious to get back to Bridget's. About 2/3's through the book I started feeling like I was reading The Jungle; The author packed as many sad and devastating events into one person's life as possible. Though the book starts out slowly, I thought the ending tied up nicely. Too many books are ruined by a poorly developed ending!

[Shannon Newkirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story interweaving two different time periods and highlights of New Orleans and the South in the late 1800s early 1900s

[Conchita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story.

[Ingrid457 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my eyes are filled with tears, but I find I can't let them go. How could I, having read the story of Miss Bridget? I knew how the book must end, but it ended on a grace note, not with high drama. And the narrator's story was filled out, too, so I'm grateful for that gift of the author.

I read many books in the course of a month, a year. I feel certain that the stories of Bridget, Miriam and Ellie (and all those around them) will stay with me forever.

"A Memory of Time" is a rare gift and I thank the author for giving it.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and informative read. The book is well researched and is heavy with actual historical events. I found the prose more skillful than his first book, The Saints of Lost Things.

Not only do I wish I knew the delightful and adventurous Bridget, but I hope to grow old with a spirit like hers.

Lawler writes splendidly from a female's perspective. I appreciate it when a male author gives his women soul. So many do not.

[Jessica Leblanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The detail in the beautiful story will make you feel as if you are walking through it with Miriam, Ellie and Miss Bridget. You're lead through lives filled with change, tragedy, good times, bad times, mistreatment, and unbelievable love all in the search of their true self and path.

[Liza Maggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too long, and so many bad things happened to one person, I was no longer able to suspend disbelief. I loved, Loved, LOVED reading about New Orleans, particularly, the Irish Channel, before, during, and after the Civil War.

[AbbyRHall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a bit long it was a wonderful read.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you couldn’t read fast enough to know how things ended but at the same time didn’t want the story to end? This is that kind of book. I finished reading this last night and closed my eyes wanting to dream about it. Such a beautifully written story. Characters so real, so complicated, a story so believable.

[Dawn Galland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book.

[Sara Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read!

[Carol Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and educational

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book .... one of the most enjoyable I've read in ages. Highly recommend.

[Camille Peloso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got lost in this book. A must read. The main character is inspiring.

[Shauna Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

While written in a manner that takes some adjusting to, adjust I did & in love I fell. This is likely the one book of the year that will stay with me & I’ll revisit again often.