I received an e-book version of this book from the author through a giveaway Marie Lavender had on her FaceBook Page and the following is my honest opinion.

Of one many genres of books which exist the most difficult to write are memoirs. The reason for this is quite simple; it’s the personal connection the author has for the subject matter. The subject matter is about a portion of the individual’s own life or that of a loved one, and of the two writing about a loved one is far more difficult due to emotions which get brought up during the writing process.

Many memoirs of loved ones have a roller coaster element to them, the good times and the bad, the glad times and the sad. The book written by Ms. Pereira is no exception as it’s about the person who gave her life, her mother.

Seeing one’s aged mother/father well is wonderful; but when you see her having them deteriorating away mentally due to dementia is an extremely rough burden to bear since you’re basically helpless to do anything about it. Dementia causes a long term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember which can affect a person's daily functioning; there can be emotional problems, problems with language, and a decrease in motivation. All this is far more difficult for the caregiver to handle than just seeing them age gracefully.

For allowing her readers see and experienced the pathos she had experienced, especially at her Mom’s final days like an open book, I’ve given this book 5 STARS. ( )

Elaine Pereira describes dementia as being “devious, indiscriminate, and ruthless, invading the mind and distorting fiction into one’s reality.”
Her story of her mother’s gradual mental deterioration caused by this condition is written plainly but emotionally. It is easy to understand the medical aspects of the illness but the author’s use of language is eloquent.
The format of her story gives clearly describes of a wonderful lady, loving mother and fun loving person with comparisons of how the disease gradually diminished, not only her abilities, but also the traits Elaine recalls that made her delightful lady.
Throughout the story she also describes how her mother and she dealt with the loss of Elaine’s two brothers, sister in law and father’s debilitating stroke.
It is not just a story of dealing with and understanding dementia. It is a heart moving story of a family’s love for and commitment to each other. I highly recommend it as informative and moving reading.
It is extremely deserving of the two book awards to date.
I should add that the author is also donating a percentage of the book sales to help fund Alzheimer’s research and support programs.
This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au
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This was a poignant and sometimes painful story to read as Elaine spoke of the changes that dementia brought to her mother's memory and emotional state. This is not just a disease of the memory, for it robs the sufferer of the ability of the meaning of words and how to use them even if they can read them. They can become lost in time and stop recognizing their loved ones. This is a disease that affects entire families.

Each chapter was written with a portion from the author's growing up years and then a corresponding related event from more recent times in the author's mother's life. I loved the closeness and connection that the difficulties these two women shared brought them. I can only hope to emulate that same patience with my parent if I should be in such a situation.

I Will Never Forget was an eye-opener in terms of really seeing what Alzheimer's and dementia is really like. I had no idea that it came with all the temper outbursts and wandering and confusion. As the author says, "it is death by inches".

This book is a must read for anyone with a parent who is experiencing the symptoms of dementia. I would highly recommend it. I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.

This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-i-will-never-fo... ( )

Diagnosed with dementia, Betty Ward meandered down that long road from coherent and logical thinking to complete and utter confusion. Her daughter, Elaine, accompanied her on that walk. As Elaine became Betty’s caregiver, roles became blurred and eventually reversed. Betty became more dependent and Elaine became more in charge and decisive. It’s not an easy journey. In fact, if we were given the option, we’d simply ‘opt out.’ It’s too hard.

Ms. Pereira began with the image of Betty Ward as her mother when Elaine was very young. That image showed her mother as strong yet loving – a person completely in control of herself and who always had her family’s best interests at heart. When we remember our lost loved ones, we don’t remember them chronologically but we remember them by events and happenings. That’s kind of the way this story is laid out; it is not in chronological order. It is a story that will linger in your mind for a long time. My issue with the novel is my own, and I realize not everyone will share my thoughts on this. Ms. Pereira repeatedly referred to her dead sister-in-law as orchestrating things from heaven when she and her mother were desperate to get to her brother’s bedside as he lay dying from cancer. I believe that God only is the one who works issues out on our behalf from heaven. I rated I Will Never Forget at 4 out of 5.

http://www.fictionzeal.com/will-never-forget-daughters-story-mother-elaine-perei... ( )

This book was very moving and honest, factual and touching. It does a good job detailing what was experienced, you can feel for everyone involved and see the ramifications of going through this. I was touched on so many levels by the fortitude and grace exhibited by the author. This book is a testament to love, a emotional and loving story. ( )