Before I Go To Sleep

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Title: Before I Go To Sleep
Author: S J Watson
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction
Pages: 384
Publisher: RHUK
ISBN-13: 978-0552164122

Rating: 4/5

The book is a psychological thriller and the first one by S J Watson. It has been made into a movie too but for those who haven't watched it yet, here is a review.

The story begins with Christine waking up in a room having no idea where she is, or who she is, for that matter. She is in an utter state of confusion when she sees a man besides her on the bed. She walks into the bathroom to find her photographs hanging. When she looks at her reflection in the mirror, she is shocked because she just cannot seem to remember how she had aged so much. The man on the bed turns out to be her husband, Ben, who explains that she had been in a terrible accident many years ago and has been like this ever since. Every night when she goes to sleep, her memory is erased. Finding it absolutely difficult to think or believe, Christine is contemplating her situation when she receives a call from Dr. Nash, her neuropsychologist, who asks her to meet him. After much coaxing she agrees and he tells her that they have been making progress as Christine was beginning to remember a few things. Of course, she doesn't remember ever meeting the doctor, but when the doctor asks her to look into her book, she is partly convinced. She had been keeping a diary, writing in it everyday so that she could read it the next day and recollect what has been going on in her life. Both Dr. Nash and Ben seem to care for her and Christine slowly begins accepting her fate when she reads a phrase in her diary that shocks and confuses her at the same time. DO NOT TRUST BEN. But why not? 

Let me begin my analysis by saying that this book is not to be missed. What a thriller! From the first page on, one is simply hooked onto the author's words. The story is written in the first person, which can be quite a challenge in itself. Narration is superb and keeps us want to continue reading, making the characters and every twist and turn in the story come alive. The story is about a woman who suffers from amnesia and the author has justified her role adequately. Her confusions, her dilemma makes sense as she wakes up every morning without having any memory of the day before. Although it is a daily record of what happens in Christine's life, a gradual string of events is woven bit by bit to form the entire structure of the story. It is a fast paced thriller, especially towards the climax, when the 'all dependent' amnesic protagonist becomes emotionally strong to fight her odds. All in all, an exciting read indeed!

Strongly recommended for mystery/thriller readers and for those who love sleeping with their lights on at night...!