‘How do you solve a murder when you can only remember yesterday?’
Yesterday is the debut thriller from Felicia Yap.
Just published by Wildfire (Headline Publishing imprint), Yesterday is described as ‘a beautifully written psychological drama which taps into our innermost fears concerning identity, memory and love’. A novel with a very intriguing concept at it’s core, please do continue reading for my thoughts…
(I received an advance copy of Yesterday from the publisher but my thoughts and views are all unbiased and voluntary)
Book Blurb:
There are two types of people in the world. Those who can only remember yesterday, and those who can also recall the day before.
You have just one lifeline to the past: your diary. Each night, you write down the things that matter. Each morning, your diary tells you where you were, who you loved and what you did.
Today, the police are at your door. They say that the body of your husband’s mistress has been found in the River Cam. They think your husband killed her two days ago.
Can you trust the police? Can you trust your husband? Can you trust yourself?
My Review
The concept behind Yesterday is so up-to-date, where, as a race, we rely completely on technology to store our memories. With so many of us totally reliant on our smart phones to store all our personal information already, is it such a far-fetched notion?
Yesterday is set in modern day but in a very different world where a dystopian society exists.. As adult-hood is reached, memories become erased and all become fully dependent on iDiaries to record and store the details of their daily lives. In this world that Yesterday inhabits, there are two types of humans. Mono and Duo. Mono’s have a very short term memory of just 24 hours, whereas the more superior Duos have a 48 hour memory. Society has created sustainable methods to deal with this lifestyle, with the belief instilled that were we to store all our memories in our own brains, it would be too much for us to deal with.
I mean wow…..what a concept!!!
Yesterday tells the story of a murder.
A body is discovered in the river and it is that of Miss Sophia Ayling, mistress of bestselling author Mark Henry Evans.
This is where things get complicated. DCI Hans Richardson is immediately on the case, but with his own secrets to hide, he must resolve this case in 24 hours. Mark Henry Evans is a Duo so he has full recall of the previous 48 hours but his wife Claire is a Mono, making her more dependent on the written word committed to the iDiary.
Claire has always lived in the shadow of her husband, fully convinced that her life was less important somewhat. Always struggling with her confidence, Claire is on medication which helps her get through each day. Mark is often away on engagements with his fans and publisher etc, but now he his hoping to run for a position as a local MP. The discovery of a body in the vicinity of his home is not something he wishes to get involved with. The fact that it’s his mistress makes this a somewhat tangled web.
As a reader we are introduced to a whole plethora of new and very abstract ideas which do make you think about our over reliance on technology.
Yesterday is very much a race against time for many different individuals, as the clock slowly ticks down over a 24 hour period. There are various levels of truth concealed in many diaries and the reliability of these accounts is very questionable for the authorities involved.
Felicia Yap has written a novel that I think personally will make for an amazing movie but for me the book just didn’t grab me 100%. At times I found sections of the writing were more in keeping with a YA novel and I felt no empathy with any of the characters. The whole technology angle was inspiring which, in my very humble opinion, will cross over to the big screen wonderfully.
Is it a movie I would go & see? Most definitely YES.
Yesterday is a book that requires plenty of focus while you are reading, as the chapters move swiftly between each character’s story. I love this style to a novel as it makes for a page-turning read. I hate to say though that the ending just did not work for me, as I felt I had to suspend reality just a little too much.
Overall Yesterday is a good read, with an excellent concept at the core, but just not a great read for me….
I suspect I may be in the minority here so please do pick up a copy and let me know what you think…
Purchase Link ~ Yesterday
Author Bio:
Felicia Yap grew up in Kuala Lumpur.
She read biochemistry at Imperial College London, before achieving a doctorate in history (and a half-blue in competitive ballroom dancing) at Cambridge University. She has written for The Economist and The Business Times.
She has also worked as a radioactive-cell biologist, a war historian, a Cambridge lecturer, a technology journalist, a theatre critic, a flea-market trader and a catwalk model.
Yesterday is her debut novel.
Twitter ~ @FeliciaMYap
I can see where you are coming from. Personally I really enjoyed it but I probably don’t think in terms of whether something is geared to YA audiences etc – you may well be right there. I’d agree it would be a fab movie concept, perhaps some of the ideas translating better on screen than in written form maybe, especially the diaries. Totally agree this will be a book which divides readers though.
Tx Jen. I just found Sophia quite immature in her thoughts and I felt the style of writing around her was best suited to a YA style book. I’ve read YA & have loved Hunger Games etc so it’s not a genre I dislike but I just felt it didn’t sit well amongst the pages here. Also THAT ending just wasn’t for me. It will make a fantastic movie as Hollywood brings the concept to life…with just a few changes I hope. Probably just me 🙂
Your not the only one to have reservations about the characters. I really want to read this, I have a copy, but I can imagine it is a novel you have to be in the mood for.
I think I had such high hopes!!
This is an interesting one, isn’t it? I struggled with the wooden characters, which is probably how people would be, given their situation… but the plot was simply presented so at least I managed to keep up. What is interesting that it has been hyped hugely amongst the book community, but I know no-one who has heard of it outside…
RTE radio featured it last night on the Arena arts programme. I missed it but will listen back later. Lots of coverage in the US press if you Google it….
Great review! I am looking forward to this one 🙂
Thanks Dee. Will be interested to see what you think!! X
Interesting review Mairead, I can understand your thoughts on this one. There were points I did think it verged on YA but I still enjoyed it. I think this is a marmite book for many people. I do think it would be a great film, so much of it would work well on big screen.
Absolutely. I will definitely go see it on big screen. I think it will transition to the cinema v well. It was the ending really Kate that just pushed my imagination that bit too far
..
Interesting to read another view Mairead as I’ve mainly read positive ones about this. I admit to having a real soft spot for YA dystopia in the past so actually I’m just as intrigued as ever! Fab, fair review x
Thank you Vicki. Might just be the book for you 🙂 x
I really enjoyed your take on this one Mairead! Initially I was very excited about this one and even started reading it but then picked up The Good Daughter and was much more invested in that so I didn’t get back to Yesterday before I had to return it to the library. I don’t feel a dire need to get it back so that tells me the writing just didn’t grab me enough.
Thank you so much Renee. Maybe the movie might appeal to you more whenever it gets made. I’m sure though that I’m in the minority with this book…. x
I too had heard lots about this but wasn’t wholly sure of the concept of needing to solve a crime in 24 hours. It sounds a bit contrived, but as you say I think it probably would make a brilliant movie and perhaps that’s what the author is hoping for… a lovely review as ever Mairead! And always nice to see you being constructive with a review too. We as authors can always do something with those! x
Fiona thank you so much. I really do appreciate your comments. It doesn’t sit that well with me doing a less than positive review but I hope that it’s a fair one all the same. Sure we can’t love them all…. x
This book has been on my radar for some weeks now, but each new mixed review makes me hesitate! I love the concept but I feel the book did not fully explored everything, or maybe it’s just a format problem, and like you said, it’d be better as a movie! Great post! x
Meggy it’s a strange one really. Premise is great but just something was missing for me. Others love it though so let me know what you think if you read it. X
Great review! I guess some stories just work better on the screen… Fingers crossed they will actually turn this one into a movie!
My understanding is Hollywood are knocking Yvo. Thank you for your comment. Xx
A very considered, fair and honest review Mairead- really enjoyed reading your post and think you’ve raised some interesting points. I’m sure it will be on our screens soon & it’s always great to have a book that generates discussion amongst readers!
Thanks Katherine. I appreciate your words. I agree about discussion….makes books more interesting I think!
I think there is many, many flaws with this one. I m half way through but can’t get past: how on earth they can speak about the past, with only remembering 24 or 48 hours? And to be honest, if people don’t remember the past, who cares about remembering 1 or 2 days??? How could you do your job or get a university degree if you at most remember 2 days?
I would have to agree Ova. Just a little too far-fetched for me….