The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North is a unique tale centered around the protagonist, Hope Arden, who has a condition that causes people to forget her as soon as she leaves their sight. Hope navigates a world where she is constantly forgotten, leading her to a life of crime as a master thief. The plot delves into themes of identity, societal expectations, and the impact of a new lifestyle app called Perfection. As Hope becomes entangled in a conflict with the creators of Perfection, the story unfolds with elements of thriller, psychology, and self-reflection, creating a captivating narrative that explores the complexities of human connection and memory.

The book is praised for its fascinating concept of a protagonist who is unnaturally forgettable, engaging plot that combines elements of action and drama, and thought-provoking exploration of media, social pressure, and the essence of humanity. Claire North's writing style is commended for its unique voice, detailed world-building, and ability to evoke emotions and keep readers hooked until the very end.

Characters:

Hope Arden is a richly developed character whose forgettable nature complicates her relationships, while supporting characters add depth to the narrative despite some being more archetypal.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical and stream-of-consciousness elements, creating a poetic yet complex narrative that alternates between introspection and action.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a protagonist who is perpetually forgotten by others, leading her to a life of crime, intertwined with a commentary on societal expectations and a popular app that promotes an unattainable notion of perfection.

Setting:

The story is set across various international locales, enriching the narrative with a sense of adventure and cultural depth.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast and engaging, though it may lag during reflective sections, yet overall it holds reader attention effectively.

A teacher, Miss Tomas, the only one in the school who cared, full of faith in her pupils, hope for their futures, forgets to chase the missing homework, to ask the questions, to listen to the answers,...

Notes:

Hope Arden is a woman who is forgotten by everyone she meets shortly after interacting with them.

Her ability to be forgotten leads her to a life of crime as a skilled thief.

The book explores themes of identity, memory, and the impact of technology on personal relationships.

Hope's backstory includes experiences in various global cities like Dubai, Istanbul, and Tokyo.

A significant subplot involves an app called Perfection, which promotes a harmful standard of perfectionism.

The narrative blends genres like speculative fiction, thriller, and introspective literary fiction.

Despite her forgettable nature, Hope yearns for meaningful connections in her life.

The author, Claire North, uses a unique stream-of-consciousness writing style to convey Hope's thoughts and experiences.

Readers note that the character's situation raises questions about self-worth and societal expectations.

The book features a richly diverse cast of characters and an international setting.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Sudden Appearance of Hope include discussions of suicide, mental health issues, and general violence, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

The World Fantasy Award-winning thriller about a girl no one can remember, from the acclaimed author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K.

My name is Hope Arden, and you won't know who I am. But we've met before - a thousand times.

It started when I was sixteen years old. A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the crimes I commit, you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life difficult. It also makes me dangerous.

The Sudden Appearance of Hope is a riveting and heartbreaking exploration of identity and existence, about a forgotten girl whose story will stay with you forever.

Ratings (8)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (20):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (1)

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The Sudden Appearance of Hope