Persistence of Memory by Winona Kent – a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 17, 2013

Charlie Lowe has two obsessions: saving the Stoneford Village Green from unscrupulous developers and researching her ancestor, Louis Augustus Duran, whose mysterious origins elude her.

When a freak lightning strike and a rogue computer virus send her back to 1825, Charlie discovers she must persuade a reluctant Sarah Foster to marry Duran, or two centuries of descendants -including herself- will cease to exist.

Unfortunately, Louis Duran turns out to be a despicable French count who spends his days attempting to invent the first flushing toilet in Hampshire. That is, of course, when he’s not busy impregnating a succession of unfortunate housemaids.

Combining the language, humour and manners of Jane Austen’s era with charming characters and colorful storytelling, Persistence of Memory is a mystery, a love story and a speculative novel about accidental time travel.

A hopeless romantic, our heroine does her best to encourage the happiness of those who surround her — but will she be able to mend a matrimonial wrong, restore the Village Green to its rightful owner and, most particularly, conclude the tale in the company of the gentleman with whom she was always meant to be?

You may acquaint yourself with the answers, gentle reader, here, within “Persistence of Memory”.

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This is a time-travel mystery type novel with romantic and heroic overtones. A very interesting concept and sometimes perplexing although intriguing time travel theories.

The story takes place in the village of Stoneford on England’s southern coast. This village has been very nearly untouched by renovation for almost 200 years. The central figure, Charlotte Duran Lowe or Charlie to her friends, has lived in Stoneford all her life. Charlie is a young widow who now works as the Historical Guide and Interpreter for the Stoneford Village Museum. Her daily uniform is a Regency frock from the 1825 era.

However, a redevelopment endeavor has begun by two very unscrupulous brothers Ron and Reg Ferryman. They want to line their pockets and don’t care at all about the history of the village. They have in fact resorted to the poisoning of the 300 year old Village Oak in the center of town, so that they can tear it down and rebuild with hotels and the like. The main issues center on lost deeds, dubious ownership, and greed of the brothers.

The time travel theory revolves around Charlie’s laptop and programs, a lightning storm releasing tachyons and sprites (scientific definitions can be found in the book), sending a shocked Charlie (fortunately still in her frock) back to 1825 and bringing one of her ancient cousins Mrs. Collins to this century in her place. The women apparently looked very much alike and so the adventure begins.

An interesting read, as Charlie tries to find out about her ancestors, solve the missing deed issues as well as others, while not blowing her cover. She also finds new love for herself while attempting to ensure her ancestors marry the correct men to ensure her own lifeline.

It’s a very twisty, sometimes comical, sometimes scary tale with many a paradox. To meddle or not to meddle…the “Butterfly Effect” type questions.

Will Charlie succeed in saving the village by finding the missing deed? Will she ensure Sarah marries the right man to ensure her linage? Does Charlie return? Ahhhh….the questions abound! Solve the mysteries by reading the book! Would it be fun to go back in time…you decide…

Copy supplied by author for an honest review.

Reviewed by Georgianna S.