ABOUT THE BOOK
Some lives are simply unforgettable…
On an ordinary night in an ordinary year, Tommy Llewellyn’s doting parents wake in a home without toys or nappies, without photos of their baby scattered about, and without any idea that the small child asleep in his cot is theirs.
Determined to finally carve out a life for himself and land the girl of his dreams, Tommy sets out on a mission to trick the universe and be remembered. But legacies aren’t so easily won, and Tommy must figure out what’s more important – the things we leave behind or the people we bring along with us.
How to be Remembered is a heartwarming, poignant and ultimately inspiring novel about the important things in life.
BOOK REVIEW – 4 STARS
Can you imagine what life would be like if you woke up one day and no-one remembered who you were or what you had achieved? Michael Thompson’s How to Be Remembered is both heartwarming and entertaining; a thoroughly absorbing book about a man born with a highly unusual predicament and dilemma.
Every year on 5 January Tommy Llewellyn wakes up to find that no-one remembers him or anything about him. Not even his parents. Everything that previously belonged to him completely disappears, including his clothes, books and academic records. So each year, Tommy has the challenge to restart his life all over again, recreating his relationships with friends, carers, teachers, and eventually with the woman he has loved forever. Once he leaves school, life gets increasingly complex, and Tommy begins to find ingenious ways to outwit his fate when his annual reset occurs.
I loved this heartwarming, strange, story and felt a strong empathy for Tommy, who is both talented and resourceful. He is a resilient hero who somehow always manages to bounce back, and who learns to take risks, even when the stakes are enormously high. Tommy’s quest to be remembered, particularly as a teenager and young man, is skilfully told with humour and pathos.
You do need to suspend disbelief when reading parts of the book, but you will find yourself drawn into its themes of resilience, courage and love. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Karen Williams
MEET THE AUTHOR
Michael Thompson has been a journalist, producer and media executive for the last fifteen years. He now co-owns a podcast production company called Fear and Greed – home of Australia’s most popular business podcast. He lives in Sydney with his wife, two young children, two cats and his beloved lawn. How to Be Remembered is Michael’s first novel.
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