Scan barcode
A review by ci_reads
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
"Memories don't just pile up - they also change over time. And sometimes they fade of their own accord."
I had heard a lot of good things about this book, but ultimately, I think I wanted more action and explanation. The Memory Police is a dystopian society where objects disappear overnight and the citizens lose all concept of the meaning of those objects and any memories associated with them. One day it's roses, the next birds. It's an interesting premise and commentary of what becomes of people and society under a totalitarian dictatorship. Ogawa does a great job of creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and the feeling of "しょうがない" (It can't be helped). Answers for the disappearances of both objects and people are never really given though, and while the ending was quite horrifying, it felt like the plot faded away rather than coming to some sort of resolution or climax.
Perhaps, I also didn't like the ending because as someone with several cases of Alzheimer's in the family, memories and the loss of them is something that I think about somewhat regularly. And the ending felt really unsatisfying in terms of what becomes of people who lose memories from their lives.
I had heard a lot of good things about this book, but ultimately, I think I wanted more action and explanation. The Memory Police is a dystopian society where objects disappear overnight and the citizens lose all concept of the meaning of those objects and any memories associated with them. One day it's roses, the next birds. It's an interesting premise and commentary of what becomes of people and society under a totalitarian dictatorship. Ogawa does a great job of creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and the feeling of "しょうがない" (It can't be helped). Answers for the disappearances of both objects and people are never really given though, and while the ending was quite horrifying, it felt like the plot faded away rather than coming to some sort of resolution or climax.
Perhaps, I also didn't like the ending because as someone with several cases of Alzheimer's in the family, memories and the loss of them is something that I think about somewhat regularly. And the ending felt really unsatisfying in terms of what becomes of people who lose memories from their lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity