Reviews

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

eleonora_s's review against another edition

5.0

Is there anything Janelle Monáe can’t do???? Incredible world building and character growth in every single story. I could really see the inspirations from Octavia Butler. I will also def check out her co-authors. Bravo!! <3

laurenmacphail's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ejulin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

another_riikka's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

janada59's review against another edition

3.0

While not my usual style of book, I enjoyed each of the stories.

setlledbullet9's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Two of the stories are great, one is good, one is decent, and one is not great

a_l_deleon's review against another edition

4.0

The Memory Librarian is an intriguing read that, like all excellent sci-fi does, will leave you pondering the idea of what makes a better tomorrow, how integral memories are to livelihood, what perceptions and preconceived notions are hindering humanities ability to thrive, and where does AI and technology fit in all of it.  

timinbc's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting mix of stories, competently written, but in the end I came up against the same problem I always have with the New Dawn kind of setting: there can only be one story, that of the brave rebel who MUST fight the system and damn the consequences. That said, Diana's approach on one story was impressive.

I am not familiar with JM's other work and it might have helped.

emmalevs's review against another edition

3.0

2.75/5. Almost did not finish this one but glad I did. The first two stories are weak—both trying to do too much while simultaneously tragically underdelivering. I’m not surprised at the number of people saying they couldn’t get past the first hundred pages. There’s too much information about the dystopian nature of the book’s setting without the context necessary to make it believable (or even make me care about it). This, combined with the fact that the characters literally have NO pasts due to their lack of memories, makes the book feel more like a concept than a story for a while.

The stories improve. The third—and particularly the fourth, which is excellent and worth reading—deemphasize the world building and focus more on character. It was also at this point that I took a break to watch the Emotion Picture that goes along with the album. The film helped a lot and made the stories more enjoyable, but if the book can’t stand on its own, is it a triumph? I don’t think so.

dreaming_ace's review against another edition

4.0

This was an interesting collection of loosely connected short stories. I will say it took me a little while to get into the stories in part because reading about a police state dystopia feels too realistic, too possible, too real real. On the other hand seeing all the dirty computers finding ways to grow and live and thrive within that police state and by creating their own communities leave you feeling hopeful in the end which is more than you can say about most police state dystopians.