Can a memory be a meal, and what is a person without memories?
“The Memory Thief” by New Zealand author Leonie Agnew is a captivating fantasy for middle-grade readers that beautifully balances the poignant with the thrilling. We meet Seth, a troll who spends his days as a stone statue in a park and his nights roaming, consumed by a hunger for human memories. His lonely existence is interrupted by Stella, a fiercely independent girl who is struggling with her own painful past. Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of this imaginative tale, as Stella, desperate to forget, makes a dangerous pact with Seth, who yearns to remember. Agnew masterfully weaves a story that is at once a suspenseful adventure and a tender exploration of what it means to be alive.
The novel’s magic lies in its seamless blending of Scandinavian troll folklore with a contemporary New Zealand setting, where the call of the tui punctuates the atmospheric backdrop of the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. This unique fusion creates a world that feels both mythical and real. Central themes of friendship, loneliness, identity, and the very nature of memory are explored in a sensitive way. The story prompts deep reflection on how our experiences, both good and bad, shape who we are. For young readers who feel like outsiders or are navigating difficult emotions, Seth and Stella’s journey offers a powerful and relatable narrative. It’s a book that will particularly resonate with those curious about how different cultures interpret universal human experiences, demonstrating that the search for connection and understanding is a global one.
Leonie Agnew, a celebrated New Zealand author and winner of the prestigious Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction for this very book, writes with an authenticity that brings her fantastical characters to vivid life. Her background as a primary school teacher shines through in her ability to tackle complex emotional concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for young minds. “The Memory Thief” is more than just a fantasy novel; it is a profound story that will linger with readers long after the final page. It’s an essential addition to any library, offering a rich opportunity for discussions about empathy, the importance of our personal histories, and the courage it takes to face our own stories. This book is a powerful reminder that our memories, even the painful ones, are an indelible part of us.
