Podcast Summary: The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna – Episode 39: "Feelin' Fine"

Release Date: March 10, 2025
Hosts: Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Book Discussed: What Alice Forgot by Lisa Jewell

Introduction

In Episode 39, titled "Feelin' Fine," hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve into Lisa Jewell's psychological thriller, What Alice Forgot. The episode focuses on the intriguing premise of the protagonist, Alice, who wakes up six years younger due to a traumatic brain injury, leading her to navigate life with a significant memory gap. Jon and Sarah explore the complexities of identity, relationships, and personal growth that arise from such a profound loss of memory.

Overview of the Book

What Alice Forgot tells the story of Alice, a 39-year-old woman who suffers a head injury and wakes up six years in the past, believing she is 29. This sudden change forces Alice to confront the stark differences between who she was and who she has become, especially regarding her marriage, friendships, and career.

Main Discussion Points

1. Memory Loss and Identity

Sarah begins by discussing her experience reading the book, emphasizing the emotional challenge of Alice’s memory loss. She highlights the difficulty Alice faces in reconciling her former self with her current reality.

Sarah Colonna [02:17]: "I didn't want to spoil it for myself. I want to be authentic with my... especially since I'm in a book club podcast now."

Jon adds that memory loss can lead to a profound identity crisis, making it hard to relate to one's present circumstances.

Jon Ryan [05:33]: "I am definitely on board with that."

2. Changes in Relationships

The hosts explore how Alice's relationships have evolved over the decade she cannot remember. Sarah reflects on her own life changes and how they parallel the book’s themes.

Sarah Colonna [10:14]: "I can't emotionally connect to it almost. Does that make sense?"

Jon shares personal anecdotes about long-term friendships, illustrating the natural drift that occurs over time.

Jon Ryan [12:29]: "I had my retirement football game... these guys have been there since my 16th birthday."

3. Personal Growth Over a Decade

Sarah discusses the significant personal transformations that occur between ages 29 and 39, a period the book focuses on. She relates this to her own growth and the challenges of adapting to change.

Steve Colonna [15:11]: "When doing relationships, we can do that because we go, oh, my God, you thought it was the end of the world."

Jon outlines his life milestones within a similar timeframe, emphasizing how rapid change can be.

Jon Ryan [23:44]: "I signed my first big NFL contract... bought a new house... won a Super Bowl."

4. The Impact of Time on Friendships

The conversation shifts to the evolution of friendships over time. Sarah notes how maintaining core friendships can be challenging when significant life changes occur.

Sarah Colonna [18:26]: "It's harder to relate to for parents, I guess."

Jon reflects on reconnecting with old friends and the discomfort that can arise when personalities haven’t evolved.

Jon Ryan [31:19]: "I met them again ten years later, and they were the same person from high school."

5. Societal Changes and Global Events

Jon humorously speculates about waking up during major global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, adding a layer of societal change to the personal narrative.

Jon Ryan [19:35]: "Why aren't I working for the Seahawks anymore?"

Sarah contemplates how global shifts can exacerbate personal identity crises.

Sarah Colonna [20:31]: "She'd have been like, wait, why all the bars closed?"

Insights and Conclusions

Jon and Sarah conclude that What Alice Forgot effectively portrays the struggle of rediscovering oneself amidst significant life changes. They emphasize the book's exploration of whether it's possible to reconcile past and present selves and whether relationships can withstand such profound personal transformations.

Sarah Colonna [35:19]: "Could waking up and... leave the past in the past. And we don't need to reconnect or fix this."

Jon Ryan [33:31]: "There's a lot of really interesting topics and a lot of things that we can really dive into."

The hosts agree that the book offers valuable insights into personal growth, the fluidity of relationships, and the enduring question of identity over time.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sarah Colonna [02:17]: "I just want to be authentic with my... especially since I'm in a book club podcast now."

• Jon Ryan [05:33]: "I am definitely on board with that."

• Sarah Colonna [10:14]: "I can't emotionally connect to it almost. Does that make sense?"

• Jon Ryan [12:29]: "I had my retirement football game... these guys have been there since my 16th birthday."

• Sarah Colonna [15:11]: "When doing relationships, we can do that because we go, oh, my God, you thought it was the end of the world."

• Jon Ryan [23:44]: "I signed my first big NFL contract... bought a new house... won a Super Bowl."

• Sarah Colonna [18:26]: "It's harder to relate to for parents, I guess."

• Jon Ryan [31:19]: "I met them again ten years later, and they were the same person from high school."

• Jon Ryan [19:35]: "Why aren't I working for the Seahawks anymore?"

• Sarah Colonna [20:31]: "She'd have been like, wait, why all the bars closed?"

• Sarah Colonna [35:19]: "Could waking up and... leave the past in the past. And we don't need to reconnect or fix this."

• Jon Ryan [33:31]: "There's a lot of really interesting topics and a lot of things that we can really dive into."

Conclusion

Episode 39 of The Book Lisp offers a thoughtful and engaging discussion on What Alice Forgot, highlighting themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time. Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna provide personal reflections and insightful analyses, making the episode a valuable listen for both fans of the podcast and newcomers interested in the complexities of psychological thrillers.

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