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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Very interesting concept but way to many characters to keep track of for an audiobook. Would like to try again sometime in the future
2.5 or 3 out of 5 stars. Interesting concepts: what if memory deletion replaced therapy? Don’t want to work out your issues? Just delete the problem! As one would imagine, the mind is a tangled place and we are nowhere near understanding every aspect of brain functionality, let along deleting a singular memory with nothing else as collateral damage. That’s the essence of this book. I liked the idea, it was definitely interesting. But I got a little bogged down by the slowness of the story progression and the sheer number of characters. For the first half I couldn’t keep track of who was who, who knew who, etc. Would enjoy this is Black Mirror episode form, for sure.
Four stars is maybe a little higher than this book deserves, but the concept was intriguing and the writing was smooth. The story felt somewhat disjointed to me, most likely because of the numerous POVs, and I think it would have been better served to focus more tightly on one or two of the characters.
- complex discussions about the construction of the self and how it relates to memory
- discussion of morality in terms of making someone forget something, a person choosing to forget a crime, etc.
- is it more moral to help someone forget something extremely painful, or to refuse to in case they end up getting the memory back later and having to relive it from the beginning again?
- where is morality regarding the question of the self-confidential patients wanting their memories back?
- i liked oscar’s story because it demonstrates who this would be appealing to in the beginning, and how it also is a class issue, requiring lots of money for the procedures
- louisa was made out to be corrupt and a savior at the same time, financially exploiting people in exchange for bending the rules for them
- noor’s career moves from computer science to psychology, and later her character itself makes the same shift, initially viewing everything analytically and without emotion, caring only about the procedure of the job, to eventually caring about the people themselves and getting invested enough in their lives to try and actually help them; a near parallel
This was a case of the right book at the right time for me. It really spoke to me, even if I didn't find complete satisfaction in the way it all tied up at the end.
This started off slow and there's an obvious lesson about choosing to discard memories rather than dealing with them and healing but the stories all coming together at the end makes for a satisfying conclusion and interesting character arcs.
Admittedly, it was a bit difficult keeping track of who was who, particularly with the two couples, but the way the stories intersect eventually make up for the initial confusion.
Admittedly, it was a bit difficult keeping track of who was who, particularly with the two couples, but the way the stories intersect eventually make up for the initial confusion.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was an interesting one, and I happened to start reading it at the same time that I was watching Severance, which I thought was a good pairing (if you like this sort of piecemeal mystery). I thought each of the characters was interesting on their own, and would get excited to make a connection between them. The whole book is riddled with moral ambiguity and complex characters making flawed decisions based on imperfect memory, which made each storyline interesting to follow along. I found the whole book thought provoking and the characters rich with a mix of happy endings and tragic ones.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The reader is taken on a journey carried out in five parts through four POVs providing unique scenarios to the possibility of regaining a wiped memory. It was a great deep dive into the ethics and what-ifs of a world where specific memories can be wiped.
emotional
hopeful
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