The Story of Forgetting, Stefan Merrill Block
The Story of Forgetting, Stefan Merrill Block
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The Story of Forgetting
A Novel

Author: Stefan Merrill Block

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Unabridged: 10 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/16/2008

Synopsis

Abel Haggard is an elderly hunchback who haunts the remnants of his family's farm in the encroaching shadow of the Dallas suburbs, adrift in recollections of those he loved and lost long ago. As a young man, he believed himself to be "the one person too many"; now he is all that remains. Hundreds of miles to the south, in Austin, Seth Waller is a teenage "Master of Nothingness"—a prime specimen of that gangly, pimple-rashed, too-smart breed of adolescent that vanishes in a puff of sarcasm at the slightest threat of human contact. When his mother is diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer's, Seth sets out on a quest to find her lost relatives and to conduct an "empirical investigation" that will uncover the truth of her genetic history. Though neither knows of the other's existence, Abel and Seth are linked by a dual legacy: the disease that destroys the memories of those they love, and the story of Isidora—an edenic fantasy world free from the sorrows of remembrance, a land without memory where nothing is ever possessed, so nothing can be lost.

Through the fusion of myth, science, and storytelling, this novel offers a dazzling illumination of the hard-learned truth that only through the loss of what we consider precious can we understand the value of what remains.

About Stefan Merrill Block

Stefan Merrill Block is an acclaimed American novelist known for his emotionally rich storytelling, lyrical prose, and thoughtful exploration of memory, family, and the natural world. He gained widespread recognition with his debut novel, The Story of Forgetting, a National Bestseller and international sensation that was translated into numerous languages and praised for its imaginative scope and emotional depth. The novel established Block as a distinctive literary voice capable of blending intimate human experience with speculative and mythic elements.

Block's work often centers on characters facing profound emotional or physical challenges, using illness, loss, and transformation as gateways to deeper reflection on love and identity. His novels, including Oliver Loving and The Storm at the Door, are noted for their elegant prose and compassionate insight into the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. With a style that bridges literary fiction and genre-bending storytelling, he crafts narratives that linger long after the final page.

A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Stefan Merrill Block has received fellowships and honors recognizing his contributions to contemporary literature. His writing has been praised for its originality, emotional intelligence, and philosophical depth, making his novels especially compelling in audiobook form. Block continues to be celebrated for creating stories that are both intellectually engaging and deeply moving, appealing to listeners who value character-driven, thought-provoking fiction.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Baba on May 29, 2022

Hugely impressive debut novel centred around the science of memory, and the history and genetic truth of Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer's. Block manages to interweave two main stories, whilst relating a huge amount of history on the condition in this often heart rending, and also vital story. 8 out......more

Goodreads review by Peggy on April 03, 2008

Some books are easy: they engage your head with strong characters and/or good storytelling, but somehow miss connecting with your heart. That's not necessarily a bad thing--I'm wholly in favor of reading for the sheer fun of it, and every book isn't going to connect with every reader. But some books.......more

Goodreads review by Amy on January 07, 2008

I’ve been reading poetry almost exclusively for about three years running, so I was both excited and a little wary upon picking up The Story of Forgetting, Stefan Merrill Block’s debut novel. It had been so long since I’d read so many words at one go…I guess I’d forgotten how one can become immersed......more

Goodreads review by Caroline on June 03, 2015

THE Story of Forgetting is a very underrated story. A young boy discovers his mother is struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. She is placed in a home for care and the boy sets to work discovering the family history to determine whether he will be the same as his mother when he reached 35.......more

Goodreads review by Nikki on October 30, 2009

This is a beautiful debut novel. Can't wait for his next one!......more

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