This is a touching tale that is heartwarming, and elegantly written. With the added benefit of math lessons, that provide the basis for a friendship between a housekeeper, the Professor and her 10 year old son. The Professor is a brilliant, award winning mathematician who was injured in a car accident, causing his memory to be impaired; he is able to retain information for a maximum of 80 minutes.
The Professor is a reclusive, colorful character who pins post-it notes to his suit so, he can remember important details. "The Professor was dressed as always; a suit covered with notes, moldy shoes, pencils in his breast pocket."The housekeeper must re-introduce herself daily, as she plans outings and excursions to re-introduce him to the world beyond his remote cottage. She uses math as a way to bond and communicate with the Professor, who initially is distant, irascible and reluctant to formulate a bond with anyone.
The housekeeper mentions she has a 10 year old son, and the Professor immediately announces his concern, where is he and what is he doing? "You abandon your son every day so you can come here to make hamburgers?" The professor demands she bring him with her, so he is 'not alone' at home. The friendship is indentured, when her son mentions, he is a baseball fan, which provides the basis for a life long relationship.
Its a deeply engrossing tale, that offers you the reader, the opportunity to blur the lines, to re-imagine the role of housekeeper-friend-nurturer and caregiver. In the end, as the author states, The professor can never remember you, but he can never forget you.
Other Books by the Author:
The Memory Police 1994
The Diving Pool: Three Novellas 2008
Hotel Iris 2010
Revenge: Eleven Dark Tales 2013
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