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

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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

I have had this book for several weeks but I am only just over half way through. It isn't engrossing and I find it quite dry and lacking in characterisation. I have read about the evidences of reincarnation around the world. It's interesting that they are mainly found in poor nations in small villages. I can't agree with the endorsements on the cover. This book is not irresistible nor an explosive debut. I will finish the book and if I change my opinion then I will write another review.

I am a total bookworm and read huge amounts.
I loved the concept of this book, however, I found it hard to get my teeth into - the characters were not developed enough to engage me from the outstart - I found the first third of the book a bit tedious. I loved the interspersing sections of the previous research books - they were fascinating!
Sadly I felt that I just didn't care enough about the characters and never felt drawn in or compelled in that delicious way to continue reading and reading as the hours tick by and you should be sleeping😮
All in all a fairly decent read with an excellent foundational concept but it needed more development IMO to make it good.

This wasn't my usual choice of book, though the concept intrugued me. I did not warm to the style of writing, and wondered if the whole sex on the beach at the beginning was necessary? Would have liked to have gone more into the the thoughts/feelings of the central characters as the struggled to come to terms with their situation.

I found this book quite slow to get going, but once I got going, I found it really enthralling and couldn't put it down, need to google previous stories of reincarnation now!

I was delighted to receive this in the post, and loved the cover. I was very drawn to the book as I have a son the same age as the main character, and am fascinated, if skeptical, about reincarnation.
I really enjoyed the book. It is not a challenging or intellectual read, but neither is it chic lit. Ideal for a holiday or a few days ill in bed (which is when I read it).

Despite the book being centred around the concept of reincarnation, I found it easy to relate to as the character's reactions to the concept were believable. I also liked the way that the concept of 'forgetting' was related both to the the little boy, and the psychologist, in different ways.
I would highly recommend!

On the basis of this book, I would be fascinated to see what the author comes up with next. It really resonated with me, and having just had quite long journeys at the beginning and end of a very busy week away, I flew through it. Highly recommend, completely absorbing read and I know some may say far fetched, but I think it made for a great story.

It was a very satisfying story, beautifully written... It kept me turning pages and all the other reading clichés!!
As someone said up thread you do have to be able to get on board with the central premise... I wasn't too sure to start with, but it is so beautifully written I felt I just had to give myself over to 'once upon a time'.

Many thanks!

I found the book very readable and enjoyed the exploration of the topic of re-incarnation. I found myself skipping through the bits about the doctor's previous cases, I just wanted to know what happened to Noah. The resolution was in the end fairly predictable. I'd recommend this as a good holiday read, but nothing more.

Apologies for the late review. I have been meaning to post for some time now but as a long time lurker (so much so that I am no longer a "newbiemom" but 2 dc's later) this is my first actual post on MN and I have been quite daunted by the prospect!

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy of The Forgetting Time. I really enjoyed reading this book especially as I am quite interested in the possibility of reincarnation. I did feel that the book didn't delve deeply enough into the subject though (but that could be just my preference) and just touched briefly on the basics.

The story itself was engaging and the characters likeable, though I did feel that Janie's character could have been developed more. Out of all of the characters, hers was the one which resonated with me least and I found myself liking Jerry and Noah the most.

Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it and I will definitely keep an eye out for anything written by Sharon Guskin in the future.

An enjoyable read. I got through this relatively quickly when I got to it and enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. It was thought provoking and the case studies added extra interest - I'm guessing they were real?
A recommendation from me!

Sorry it's taken me so long to post! Life got in the way! I am just over halfway through the book and am really enjoying it. I was initially sceptical re whether I would as I don't believe in reincarnation however it's so well written that it is entirely believable. The characters are extremely well drawn. My overwhelming feeling when reading is one of empathy with Noah's mother, she is so desperate to help him, and for answers, that it almost hurts.

I will report back when I'm finished. Thank you for my copy!

I've finished it now and really enjoyed it. It's really well written - a very impressive debut. I found the closing chapters really powerful in the quiet way the author resolved the various characters' strands of the story. I'd recommend this book - an absorbing study of love and resilience. I was really sceptical before I started reading that I'd enjoy it as I don't believe in the central premise but the quality of the writing meant that this didn't matter.

Hi there- 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 by tomorrow!

Was there a specific incident or story that inspired this book? I would love to know exactly what your trigger was - I find the topic fascinating and absorbing myself .

As a debut author, what are the most enjoyable and the most difficult aspects of the process (from writing, editing, through to promoting your book)?

This book fascinated me, it was obviously very well researched. I liked the fact that whether you believe in reincarnation or not it is a cracking wee thriller! Like other folk I wondered how long it took to write it and where the inspiration came from, also do you have another book planned?

This was a beautiful book that I keep recommending to a lot of people!

I'd love to ask Sharon what research or experiences she drew on when writing the perspective of Janie; her grief, her love and her resilience?

Which book has inspired you the most personally and why?

So sorry for the late comments. I thought I'd given my thoughts on here but obviously not.

I finished reading the book very quickly as I found it difficult to put down, the story was fascinating and I really felt for Noah's Mum who obviously struggled with his behaviour. I would definitely recommend this book and will seek out this author again.

Thank you very much for the book.
I am enjoying the book, but I do find it slow in places, I will carry on with the story as I need to know what happens at the end

I really enjoyed this book.It was obvious that the author had researched the science behind the theory of children being born with the memories of the deceased and this was woven into the story well.