The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack

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On a recent long road trip, I treated myself to another audiobook.  This one, from a new-to-me author, Gwendolyn Womack, was a tremendously engaging story filled with layers of intrigue, mythology, and a nice dose of romance.  It made being trapped in the car while driving through several states extremely enjoyable.    

The basic premise lies in the potential of reincarnation and in how souls might sometimes find each other across multiple lives.  But after centuries, how can they remember or recognize each other or, for that matter, themselves?  What if a new pharmaceutical protocol could speed up the process of remembering and solidify that memory recall with eidetic specificity?  Would you take the drug to discover the layers hidden in your soul’s past?  Would remembering a past life change the way you live today?

It's a fascinating question, and the story offers some interesting answers.  The author speculates that artistic expression — painting, writing, photography — might act as a catalyst for processing those memories, while the art created also becomes a touchstone or trigger, reminding us of a past lifetime.  As the characters discover themselves and their connections, the author transports us to ancient Egypt to explore how the mythology of the pyramids and Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing, magic, wisdom, and the moon, shapes their associations and decisions.  The possibilities are intriguing.

Will Damron expertly narrated the book, seamlessly transitioning from one character to another and effortlessly infusing his voice with the right balance of emotion, tension, and snark to make each character distinctive and highly relatable.

This was an excellent story, filled with twisty moments I could not predict.  It was a perfect choice for a long travel day.  I fell hard for these characters and how they impacted each other and the legacy they share.  I will certainly look for other books written by Ms. Womack, and I highly recommend you do too!