I wanted to like this book, however the stilted, pedantic writing style kept getting in the way. The last 50 pages were bearable, but the canned,predictable ending spoiled even those few pages. I can't say it was even a good romance novel -- skip this one.

As a member of the medical profession and as someone who has a family member with dementia, I looked forward to reading this book. I was sorely disappointed. Ms. Halpern appeared to be unable to decide whether she was telling her own story or giving a synopsis of current research in the area of memory loss. The title leads one to believe that this is a light read -- reader beware! Details of memory research are technical and boring. Ms. Halpern should stick to 1000 word articles for magazines as she was clearly out of her depth in writing this work. I really wanted to like the book, but it was an exercise in futility.

At first glance, Life Class appears to be a light hearted look at life in London during the days leading up to World War I. It is only after beginning Part Two that the reader becomes aware of Pat Barker's skill at painting word pictures which draw one into the times and attitudes surrounding war and its human consequences. A moving, thought-provoking book of a time in history which present day society has forgotten along with the lessons the horror of World War I taught the world. Lessons swallowed up by apathy and denial.

Cezair-Thompson has done what many new authors do - she has tried to include too many story lines and historical facts in one work. While I enjoyed parts of the book such as some of the word pictures, most of the story was choppy and hard to follow. I question some of the time lines she used in relation to actual world events and happenings. Some events appeared unrelated to the setting of the story. An interesting concept and idea not executed to its fullest potential.