The Impossible Knife of Memory
Laurie Halse Anderson, 2014
Viking Juvenile
400 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780670012091
Summary
For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq.
Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.
Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—October 23, 1961
• Where—Pottsdam, New York, USA
• Education—Asoc.A., Onondaga Community College' B.A.,
Georgetown University
• Awards—Margaret Edwards Award
• Currently—lives in northern New York State
Laurie Halse Anderson is an American writer best known for children's and young-adult novels. She received the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2009 for her contribution to young adult literature.
First recognized for her novel Speak (1999), Anderson gained recognition for her artistic dealings with tough topics embedded with honesty. Anderson’s ability to creatively address often avoided issues allows her to be a safe outlet for young readers. The tough themes of her novels including rape, family dysfunctions, body issues and disorders, and high academic pressures often create controversial discussions surrounding her novels.
Background
Laurie Beth Halse was born to Ronald Frank and Ingrid Halse in Northern New York State in Potsdam. She and younger sister Lisa grew up there, near the Canadian border. As a student she showed early interest in writing, specifically during the second grade. Anderson loved reading, especially science fiction and fantasy as a teenager, yet she never envisioned herself becoming a writer. Despite struggling with math, she thought she would eventually pursue the occupation of a doctor.
During Anderson’s senior year, at the age of sixteen, she moved out of her parent’s house and lived as an exchange student for thirteen months on a pig farm in Denmark. After her experience in Denmark, Anderson moved back home to begin working at a clothing store, making minimum wage. This pushed Laurie to decide to attend college.[4]
While attending Onondaga Community College, Laurie worked on dairy farm, milking cows. After graduating, two years later, with her associates, she transferred to Georgetown University in 1981 and graduated in 1984 with her Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Linguistics.
Early career
Anderson was a freelance journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer in the early years of her career. She also began writing children and young adult novels. Despite receiving stacks of rejection letters, she persevered and, in 1996, had her first children’s novel published: Ndito Runs, based on Kenyan Olympic marathon runners who ran to and from school each day. In 1998, she published No Time For Mother’s Day, featuring the same characters from an earlier short story, "Turkey Pox."
Anderson also wrote a few pieces of non-fiction early on—a child's book on Saudi Arabia based on her experience working with that country's embassy; and a book about parenting shy children, co-authored with Dr. Ward Swallow.
Young adult novels
In 1999, she published what is arguably her most famous novel, Speak, which became a New York Times best seller and won Anderson numerous awards. It was also a finalist for the National Book Awards. The book was adapted into film in 2004, starring Kristen Stewart, and portrays the book's thirteen-year-old heroine, who becomes mute after a sexual assault.
Other novels followed in rapid succession, all to wide acclaim: Fever, 1793 (2000), Catalyst (2002); Prom (2005), Twisted (2007), Wintergirls (2009).
Historical fiction
In 2000, Anderson's Fever, 1793, set in Philadelphia during the Yellow Fever epidemic, was adapted to state in 2004 at the Gifford Family Theatre in Syracuse, New York. Thank You, Sarah! The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving, a historical fiction picture book came out in 2002.
In 2008 Anderson issued Chains, about a teenage Revolutionary War-era slave—and the first in her planned "Seeds of America Trilogy." Chains was awarded the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The completed trilogy consists of Forge (2010) and Ashes (2014).
Writing
Anderson’s commitment to writing powerful, controversial and intensely serious content within her novels have led her on a journey, acting as a voice for many young readers. “I get amazing letters from readers who tell me that one of my books helped them get through a tough time, and I know this is what I am meant to do.”
Anderson uses her own experience which often intertwines itself into the life of her characters. Because of this blurred line, Anderson often feels the empathy, emotion, and feelings of what her characters experience. With the intensity of encompassing herself in often dark places, Anderson states, “I survive the process of emotional immersion by remembering the kids who write to me, reminding myself how much more difficult it is for the teen readers who are struggling with these issues in real life. At least I have the option of walking away from a story. They do not.”
Personal
Laurie Halse Anderson married Greg Anderson, and in 1985, they had their first child, Stephanie Holcomb. Two years later, they had their second child, Meredith Lauren. The couple later divorced.
Years later, after Anderson had moved away then returned to New York state, she rekindled feelings for a childhood sweetheart, Scot Larrabee. Anderson eventually married, and is still married to Larrabee. Together, they combined their families—Anderson’s two daughters and Larrabee’s two children, Jessica and Christian. (Adapted from Wikipedia. Retrieved 1/23/2014.)
Book Reviews
Anderson's portrayal of families broken by war, death, divorce and addiction is stark and honest…Despite the heavy subject matter, Anderson's signature wry observations offer just enough comic relief…This book has a lot going on, no doubt. But at its heart is a tough yet fragile girl who wants what we all want: love, friendship and stability. Instead, she lives in a world in which the foundation beneath her feet is constantly shifting, and the relentless challenge to keep balance has worn her out…Anderson's novels (and others often labeled "too dark") speak for the still-silent among us, and force all of us to acknowledge the real and painful truths that are too dangerous to ignore.
Joel Knowles - New York Times Book Review
Andy comes home from the war in Iraq honored for his service, and haunted by it. The war still goes on inside of him and threatens to make Hayley another causality. Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the best known writers of literature for young adults and children in the world.
Scott Simon - NPR Weekend Edition
The Impossible Knife of Memory isn’t always an easy read-Anderson’s gritty, authentic look at PTSD is by turns painful and heartbreaking-but it’s an important one.
Entertainment Weekly
Laurie Halse Anderson has been lauded and awarded for her ability to channel the teenage mind (and heart) dealing with tough issues. In The Impossible Knife of Memory, she takes on PTSD through the story of a girl coping with her troubled veteran dad.
Family Circle
(Starred review.) A riveting study of a psychologically scarred teenager... [T]he only family Hayley has left is her father, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, whose horrific flashbacks have brought chaos into their lives.... Hayley’s anxiety about her father’s unpredictable behavior reverberates throughout the novel, overshadowing and distorting her memories of better times.
Publishers Weekly
(Starred review.) With powerful themes of loyalty and forgiveness, this tightly woven story is a forthright examination of the realities of war and its aftermath on soldiers and their families. One of Anderson's strongest and most relevant works to date. Grade 9 and up. —Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA
School Library Journal
(Starred review.) Compelling, powerful, and timely.... This is challenging material, but in Anderson's skilled hands, readers will find a light shining on the shadowy reality of living with someone who has lived through war.
Booklist
Anderson sensitively addresses...physical recovery, grief and survivor's guilt, chemical dependency, panic attacks and suicidal tendencies—that veterans can face when trying to reintegrate. This is less a bravura performance than a solid one, but Hayley's strong, wryly vulnerable voice carries the narrative toward a resolutely imperfect, hopeful conclusion (14 & up) .
Kirkus Reviews
Discussion Questions
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