Review by hello_lovely13 - The Memory Police

hello_lovely13 's review for:

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

4.0

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I liked what this had to say about the value of memory, the trauma of loss, and life in a fascist society. The whole concept was so interesting, and it was executed skillfully and thoughtfully. It was just slightly weird (in a good way that kept me intrigued and still keeps me questioning) that we don't know

or ever find out what the memory police, and the people in power of them, actually want, what their end goal is

. It was so bizarre towards the end of the book when

body parts were some of the things being disappeared because the main character mentioned the question of what if humans disappear multiple times

. I like how subtly, yet impactfully, the effect of the disappearances are on people and how it ultimately relates in distancing people from one another. For example, when

calendars disappeared and time lost meaning, particularly the realization that spring would never come again as a result

. I was particularly struck when

novels

disappeared, and I like how

the main character's writing process became and how the things she was finally able to write were included into the final novel snippet

.

I liked the main character's friendship with the old man, and I was happy that

he was a part of the scheme to hide R. I was really expecting him to eventually betray them to the memory police because he was one of the characters that kept on the refrain that the disappearances didn't matter too much in the end and that there was nothing to be done. However, I was happy that he didn't, His death was expected, but it was still sad and the timing came at a slight surprise

. I like how the main character's mom was included throughout the book as well.

The presence of things that were supposed to be disappeared was interesting, and the different reactions of the old man and the main character were compared to R was fascinating, though a tragedy in itself.

The main character's relationship with R was nice for the most part. I could see

the change in their relationship into lovers

coming, but I hoped it wouldn't turn out this way. I think that their bond and dynamic for the rest of the book was well done, though definitely melancholy. The way her acceptance of the end of things through the disappearances (because of the nature of it) contrasted with his hope was such an interesting dynamic, but also very sad (especially in perspective with the ending).

I wasn't too into the main character's novel snippets until they took a darker turn, and I really liked that

the ending of her novel paralleled the ending of the book. The timing in which the snippets came back was well-placed, as if they didn't come back they would have been better omitted, but the way that it is reintroduced and the ending of her novel was then directly by very similar events ending the book was perfect

. I like how the novel snippets focused on the importance of your voice, which paralleled the importance of memories.

The ending was well done, but it was also so sad, and I wasn't expecting it to be. I didn't have any ideas for how it would conclude, but I certainly wasn't expecting what occurred. I do think it was a fitting end, though not satisfying in the hopeful ending sense.

It really let the system win, and that is heartbreaking.

This felt similar to I Who Have Never Known Men, but I found this easier to read and be invested in the characters. This does a great job of discussing heavy topics without making me feel weighed down. I was interested in what was discussed or what was occurring on every page. I would definitely recommend this, and I will certainly be reading this again. Those who like this should also read I Who Have Never Known Men and Saha.

Content Warnings