In Memory of Us by Jacqueline Roy

In Memory of Us by Jacqueline Roy was published in paperback in 2025. When I read a review of a book I like the sound of, I write it on a list on my phone. Every now and then, I check my list and buy some of the books from it. I have no idea where or when I read the view of In Memory of Us. By the time I read it, I had no recollection of what it was about.

But I’m very glad I wrote it on that list. I absolutely loved it.

In Memory of Us is the story of identical twins, Selina and Zora – so close their names are often combined to make Selzora. Their father is Jamican and their mother is English. Growing up in 1960s London isn’t easy for them. But at least they have each other. Selina never wants to let Zora go and wants to be with her all the time, but Zora needs space and wants to move on.

The story is told by both Selina and Zora when they were younger and by Selina in the present day.

Now in her 70s, Selina has dementia and is desperately trying to hide it. But she is also desperately trying to piece together her own history. Something had happened to her family in the past and she needs to remember what it was. So she contacts their old friend, Lydia. She hasn’t been in touch with Lydia for a very long time, but she can’t remember why. She tries to get information from Lydia without letting on that she doesn’t remember.

Slowly, Selina and the reader piece together what happened to the family all those years ago…

In Memory of Us is a brilliant story about racism, family, toxic friendship and dementia. Any one of those things on their own would have made a great read, but somehow Jacqueline Roy has managed to weave them all together into something which is really special.

If you enjoy reading about families and relationships or if you are interested in the experiences of Black British people in the 1960s, I can’t recommend In Memory of Us highly enough!