Ask SHARON GUSKIN - author of THE FORGETTING TIME - a question now! Post yours by Wednesday 27 July

[UrsulaMumsnet]

Our featured debut author this week is Sharon Guskin. Her book The Forgetting Time, tells the story of Noah, who struggles to forget the life he believes he's lived before. Driven to desperation and reluctant to medicate her son, his mother Janie visits a psychiatrist who can provide some answers but not necessarily the ones Janie's ready to hear.

Pan Macmillan asked us to find a huge 190 Mumsnetters to read The Forgetting Time and tell us what they think about it on this discussion thread. Go to the giveaway page to find out more and apply for a free copy.

You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion. Anyone who has read The Forgetting Time can post their feedback here.

As so many of you enjoyed The Forgetting Time, Pan Macmillan have asked you for any questions you'd like to put to author Sharon Guskin. The best questions will be answered by Sharon on film. Post yours on this thread by Wednesday 27 July

This giveaway is sponsored by Pan Macmillan

Finished the story and thought the whole book was good. It was a difficult one to get into initially but I loved the concept and the real life stories inserted throughout.

The counterpoint with the Dr losing his memory was poignant and Noah finally forgetting the previous life was sad but overall I enjoyed it.

This is a most unusual and unsettling read. I am only about half way through but can already recommend it. The tension around all of the characters is building gently and slightly menacingly! I am expecting breath taking developments...

Apologies for the delay in giving my feedback. I couldn't find the thread!

Once I realised the premise of the book was reincarnation I was prepared to be disappointed as this isn't usually my cup of tea. Whilst remaining highly sceptical though I have to say I found it an enjoyable read.

I agree with previous posters that the mother is a difficult character to like but I didn't think she needed to be likeable for the story to work. Indeed it would probably have been less plausible if she were.

All in all, an enjoyable, interesting read. Thanks for my free copy.

This was a gripping and unusual book. The romantic scene near the beginning put me off, but I'm really glad that I persevered. The plot twists and turns and gave me cause to think. Very good.

I'm only part way through - I don't get much time to read these days - but this book is so beautifully written I am making sure I have time on my commute off the laptop!

I'm really enjoying the build up and can feel that it's going to be a cracking ending.

Will post more when I get further along...

Only managed a few chapters so far but can't wait to have time to read it. The style of writing makes you want to continue and I'm definitely intrigued

I thought i had left a review!
Dozy here it is lol
i won this book via mumsnet bookclub
Ii really did enjoy it I stayed up far to late reading it! I liked the storyline and the characters were interesting
Although i am open minded, its not necessarily my belief however it still was a page turner and the right length i would recommend it with out giving anything away i thought the ending well thought out and fitting.

The Forgetting Time
Janie is a single mother to Noah, conceived after a one night stand in Trinidad.
Noah is now 4 years old & at school but says he wants "to go home", has an aversion to water & being washed. He asks for his "mama" & knows about the Harry Potter books which Janie knows she has never read to him. He has nightmares about being held under water which he expresses at school.
Janie is confronted with concerns about neglect &/or abuse - her 4 year old has said he has been held under water till he blacked out & comes in unkempt, smelling of urine. When she explains Noah's behaviour to the headmistress, the possibility of childhood schizophrenia is mooted & Noah is taken to see a psychiatrist.
However the person who may be able to help is a psychiatrist who believes that Noah may be reliving a previous life.........

I have left a review but think I have put it in a different part of the website. Sorry.

The start of this book took me to Trinidad, a country close to my heart and the descriptive of this country was spot on and brought this book to life immediately for me.
Today after many interruptions, I have become engrossed and cannot put it down!! So far, a great and easy read. Thanks

Still reading this but I'm hooked! Just wish I had more time to read it, got no chance with the kids home for Easter! Will be back once I've read more...

i was asked to post a review on this discussion thread

Couldn't put this book down which doesn't happen all that often with me!. A fantastic read full of emotional and very powerful - highly recommend!

A little slow to get going, but plodding my way through, getting better, so hopefully I'll be intrigued before too long!

Thanks for the book. Have been on holiday so late with review - Sorry
I enjoyed it from page 1 right through to its conclusion - it was superb, thought provoking, compelling & captivating. An intriguing read. I have passed it onto a friend for her to hopefully have the same enjoyment.

Really looking forward to reading this - it's next in my bedside table pile, thanks for my copy.

I struggled to get into this book initially; I couldn't warm to the characters and I found the point of view switch was distracting. But I persevered and I'm so glad I did! Its a very thought-provoking, disturbing yet tender story of a boy who wants his mum and who wants to go home, despite the fact he is indeed at home with his mum. An elderly psychologist who is fighting his own battle, joins forces with Janie and her son Noah as they try to uncover the reasons behind his behaviour. The reasons, when revealed, are heart-breaking, as two mothers live out what can only be described as two of a parent's worst nightmares.

Overall I am glad I read the book as the truth, when it is revealed, is shocking and saddening, and despite the far-fetched theme, is entirely believable. But as I said it took me a while to get into it and there were other moments when I felt it dragged a bit. I wonder if maybe it just needed slicker editing? On the whole though, a good read - I would give it 7/10 and would recommend it.

Only part way through the book but it's keeping me interested. It is a different book to what I would normally read but I would definitely recommend it. Thanks for sending me a copy.

I've just finished this today - it's a funny one (not ha ha,; confusing) - I found it quite slow to get into and as others have observed didn't find Janie very likeable although she did have my sympathy from the get go and I did wonder if I was going to be able to stick with it, but I'm quite interested in reincarnation so I persevered and then once the story started to develop I did really get into it - since having my children it seems to much tougher to read anything about parental bereavement, so it was very moving to read Denise's story. By the end I loved the book but I agree it seemed to lack depth in terms of the characters and I was sad about the doctors ending, I like a happy ending (I know!) so I really wanted him to get recognition for his life's work....The "wrapping up" seemed a bit too speedy to me, but it was a good read.

The story, I felt, was very slow in starting. Too many side stories that we didn't really need to know (who the father was, the nursery teacher).
It was quite upsetting hearing how Noah was obviously traumatised about something and what ever your belief on the content it was good that he got closure on it.
Some upsetting scenes for anyone that has lost a child and so not normally a book I would personally pick to read.
A quick pick up and put down book but not one I would go out of my way to remember to recommend to anyone.

Received my copy last week and half way through. Like the flow, the concept is interesting and it is easy to read however I'm desperately hoping im not going to be disappointed.

My book arrived a couple of weeks ago. Such a great story,well written and enjoyable read. A recommended read.

Unfortunately, work commitments have prevented me finishing this book so far but I'm persevering! At first I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it, principally because of the subject matter (too far fetched) but also because Janie isn't wholly likeable or empathetic. However, as the book has gone on, I have found myself drawn into it and I can't see how it is going to end. This must be a tribute to the writing because I'm usually ace at second guessing plots! Altogether, unusual and enjoyable! Thanks for the free copy.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. This was a mammoth giveaway and i'm so glad so many of you have shared your thoughts. - v interesting to read.

The winner of the £100 voucher was Imupforthat. Congratulations!

Sorry this review is a bit late, I was lucky enough to win a copy, gobbled it down, hand wrote the review, then took ill and forgot to post it!
THE FORGETTING TIME- SHARON GUSKIN
This incredible debut novel, involves a small child with a terror of water, who keeps telling his mum that she is not his real mother. Is he mentally ill, or is he the reincarnation of a dead child?
Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, this book is a compelling page turner. I could not put it down . Highly recommended!