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nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
4.0
“My memories don’t feel as though they’ve been pulled up by the root. Even if they fade, something remains. Like tiny seeds that might germinate again if the rain falls. And even if a memory disappears completely, the heart retains something. A slight tremor or pain, some bit of joy, a tear.”
This was a haunting and beautiful dystopian book that left a lasting impression on me. The story follows the narrator's gradual fading away, and the writing is impeccable, making it a real page-turner for me.
“But as things got thinner, more full of holes, our hearts got thinner, too, diluted somehow. I suppose that kept things in balance.”
Unlike other dystopian novels, there is no government overthrow or resistance to the Memory Police. Instead, the book focuses on the feeling of decay and loss. The main character is a novelist, and there is a story within a story, which adds an interesting layer to the plot.
“When you lost your voice, you lost the ability to make sense of yourself.”
If you enjoy dystopian novels and are looking for a unique take on the genre, I highly recommend this book.
“Men who start by burning books end by burning other men,”
This was a haunting and beautiful dystopian book that left a lasting impression on me. The story follows the narrator's gradual fading away, and the writing is impeccable, making it a real page-turner for me.
“But as things got thinner, more full of holes, our hearts got thinner, too, diluted somehow. I suppose that kept things in balance.”
Unlike other dystopian novels, there is no government overthrow or resistance to the Memory Police. Instead, the book focuses on the feeling of decay and loss. The main character is a novelist, and there is a story within a story, which adds an interesting layer to the plot.
“When you lost your voice, you lost the ability to make sense of yourself.”
If you enjoy dystopian novels and are looking for a unique take on the genre, I highly recommend this book.
“Men who start by burning books end by burning other men,”
buckperk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
anvimridul's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
heidibrunney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I am a sucker for distopian psychological reads, and this book is no exception. I was sucked into the setting from the beginning and wanted to keep returning to find out where it would take me next. There is such deep meaning in the Story and it was told beautifully.
viktoria_woodhouse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
arenick's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blairmahoney's review against another edition
4.0
My third from the International Booker Prize longlist, and it's made the shortlist as well, which doesn't surprise me. The novel was actually written back in 1994 but just translated into English last year, for its 25th anniversary. It's hit at the right time, with its combination of magical realism and dystopia feeling just right for a pandemic. The main character is a novelist on an island where things 'disappear' and the Memory Police of the title enforce the disappearances and deal with the people who fail to forget the items that have gone. There's a novel within the novel which works very well and the whole story is pregnant with symbolism. It's all about people being shut in and unable to leave, whether it's the island itself, the house, or their memories, so yeah: pandemic.