The Memory Police
3 journalers for this copy...
From goodreads:
"On an unnamed island off an unnamed coast, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses—until things become much more serious. Most of the island's inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few imbued with the power to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten.
When a young woman who is struggling to maintain her career as a novelist discovers that her editor is in danger from the Memory Police, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards. As fear and loss close in around them, they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past.
A surreal, provocative fable about the power of memory and the trauma of loss, The Memory Police is a stunning new work from one of the most exciting contemporary authors writing in any language."
"On an unnamed island off an unnamed coast, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses—until things become much more serious. Most of the island's inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few imbued with the power to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten.
When a young woman who is struggling to maintain her career as a novelist discovers that her editor is in danger from the Memory Police, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards. As fear and loss close in around them, they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past.
A surreal, provocative fable about the power of memory and the trauma of loss, The Memory Police is a stunning new work from one of the most exciting contemporary authors writing in any language."
Might have spoilers, beware:
When I read the premise of this book, when browsing through the International Booker finalists of 2019, I was very intrigued. I bought the book and kept if on my nightstand, knowing it wouldn't take long to pick it up.
The idea is very appealing, an isolated island where things disappear overnight and the memory of its inhabitants along with them. A Memory Police to enforce the disappearance of the objects or living things. A number of people whose memories don't disappear and have to hide for fear of persecution. A novelist who writes disturbing stories... these were all the things/ideas that I really enjoyed within this book.
I did not enjoy so much the lack of explanation on how the memories fade, on the purpose of the memories disappearing (the literal meaning, I mean), the simplicity of the dialogues, and the fact that the Memory Police's only villainy characteristic was their blankness and their clothes, I do prefer real villains as opposed to just beings that have no depth.
Also, if fruits disappear, tomatoes disappear... just saying!
When I read the premise of this book, when browsing through the International Booker finalists of 2019, I was very intrigued. I bought the book and kept if on my nightstand, knowing it wouldn't take long to pick it up.
The idea is very appealing, an isolated island where things disappear overnight and the memory of its inhabitants along with them. A Memory Police to enforce the disappearance of the objects or living things. A number of people whose memories don't disappear and have to hide for fear of persecution. A novelist who writes disturbing stories... these were all the things/ideas that I really enjoyed within this book.
I did not enjoy so much the lack of explanation on how the memories fade, on the purpose of the memories disappearing (the literal meaning, I mean), the simplicity of the dialogues, and the fact that the Memory Police's only villainy characteristic was their blankness and their clothes, I do prefer real villains as opposed to just beings that have no depth.
Also, if fruits disappear, tomatoes disappear... just saying!
Released 3 yrs ago (4/19/2021 UTC) at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book is travelling all the way to Australia, as part of the Wishlist Tag Game. I hope you enjoy it!
Received today and grateful thanks for posting all the way to Australia :) I look forward to reading soon.
Read this as it has been requested via the OZ Virtual Book box. An interesting premise and a speculative tale about memory. I just don’t know that it worked for me wanting to know more as to the why this was happening??
Posting today for the OZVBB as requested by an interested reader.
Landed on my door mat this morning! :O)
