A review by joanamcarvalho
The Memory Police, by Yōko Ogawa
3.0
on its surface this book is a dystopia about a military force who robs people of their memories of objects, concepts, people and feelings, which makes for a good premise. but it’s much more an essay about existence and matter and how the consequences of loss, grief and oppression affect essence, because the missing things end up opening holes in the hearts of the characters.
although it’s a magnificent piece of writing, it misses some excitement. it’s often very dull and reads like a flat line. the few moments of intrigue it has are quickly resolved and the way those get worked through feels incredibly unrealistic and unpractical (egg. earthquake/tsunami).
i also found the secondary narrative, the novel being written by the main character, a lot more interesting, as it explores oppression, control and manipulation far more than the main narrative.
if you read this, don’t expect a orwellian dystopia because that’s not what you’re getting.
although it’s a magnificent piece of writing, it misses some excitement. it’s often very dull and reads like a flat line. the few moments of intrigue it has are quickly resolved and the way those get worked through feels incredibly unrealistic and unpractical (egg. earthquake/tsunami).
i also found the secondary narrative, the novel being written by the main character, a lot more interesting, as it explores oppression, control and manipulation far more than the main narrative.
if you read this, don’t expect a orwellian dystopia because that’s not what you’re getting.