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15.1k reviews for:

Muistipoliisi

Yōko Ogawa

3.77 AVERAGE

challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

It was rather confusing to read, don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it very much, it made me think about the importance of memories and the value of random things. But at the same time the book was referring to authoritarian regimes, about how easy it is to endure bad things because there is no other option, no light at the end of the tunnel. 
All in all it’s a must read for me:)
challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
slow-paced
challenging dark sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: N/A
challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

So, this book was initially released in 1994, but depending on the year and time in history in which it is read, gains a different relevance not only for the main plot but also due to the great significance that a memory cannot be easily taken away because memories defy any concept of "mind picture"; a texture, a scent, a sound, or a relationship can have such an "erased memory" dormant until something triggers the memory back to us. At least that is my non-scientific, highly speculative theory.

I've got to say that I dislike the comparisons many make because Ogawa's talent deserves its very own place at the table without this kind of sponsorship. Ogawa is a great author who writes in such a way that, to my perception, "The Memory Police" is a horrific story, yet it still conveys a very calm atmosphere with some agitation and deceiving peace, making us part of the docility that the characters forcefully develop through the mental fogs, lack of meaning, and silence.
dark tense medium-paced