Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Fading Memory is a short story written by Devin Nelle. After waking on the gurney of a medical tent while bombs fall in the distance, Jake Greenwood has no memory of himself or his life, except for his name. Jake discharges himself from the ward, gathers his belongings and is returned to his unit via jeep, sharing the vehicle with three others. During the journey back to the battle ground, Jake interacts with two soldiers and learns of their stories. Carefully avoiding any questions directed his way about his own life, Jake disembarks from the jeep when they arrive at his unit, only to be treated like a war hero by his brigade. He is told of how his actions had saved the lives of others, and that he had put his own life on the line, ensuring that his fellow soldiers would make it out alive. When Jake returns to his tent, a letter from his wife awaits him, with news about herself and their baby back at home. If only he could remember.

Devin Nelle’s incredible tale of a soldier with amnesia was highly descriptive, reminding me of the blinding fog inside an empty mind while trying to remember traumatic events. The fear and confusion surrounding Jake’s inability to remember his own life as a war goes on around him is so well written that I felt like I was right there alongside him, watching him go through it whilst knowing his thoughts. Each of the characters introduced had a depth and emotional warmth about them, showing the camaraderie amongst soldiers, regardless of rank and serial number. I had tears running down my cheeks by the time I finished reading Jake’s story, hoping and praying that he would at least be able to remember those he cherished back home. Never have I read a short story which has packed such a punch. I very much enjoyed reading Fading Memory and recommend it to readers over the age of 15 years who are not panicked by reading about the hard-hitting realities of war.