MEM

By: Bethany C. Morrow

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

MEM is a rare novel, a small book carrying very big ideas, the kind of story that stays with you long after you've finished listening to it. Set in the glittering art deco world of a century ago, MEM makes one slight alteration to history: a scientist in Montreal discovers a method allowing people to have their memories extracted from their minds, whole and complete.

The Mems exist as mirror-images of their source-zombie-like creatures destined to experience that singular memory over and over, until they expire in the cavernous Vault where they are kept. And then there is Dolores Extract #1, the first Mem capable of creating her own memories. An ageless beauty shrouded in mystery, she is allowed to live on her own, and create her own existence, until one day she is summoned back to the Vault. What happens next is a gorgeously rendered, heart-breaking novel in the vein of Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.

Debut novelist Bethany Morrow has created an allegory for our own time, exploring profound questions of ownership and how they relate to identity, memory, and history, all in the shadows of Montreal's now forgotten slave trade.

©2018 Bethany C. Morrow (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

So beautiful

Such lovely and thought provoking story. And the narrators voice was so soothing to listen to. I loved everything about this story.

Some may like this

I like sci fi, and the premise sounds intriguing. I’m just not too much into romance in my sci fi novels, so I gave it 3 stars. Others may give it 5 if they like that kind of stuff.

Pleasantly Surprised

A slower, almost peaceful reading--I like slow, but I felt the character deserved a wider range of emotions. Still, this is the best "clone" type story I've read and liked the twist of why there are clones of people. The ending was fulfilling without feeling too perfect.

Memory and selfhood

This is haunting and brief.

Some reviewers object to the romance, but I think in this case that relationship is an integral part of the plot. Still, if you have a low tolerance for sugar this may not be the book for you.

For meditations on what makes a memory, what makes identity, and what makes a person, do read!

Avoid if you don't like ASMR

The story is just OK. Nothing really to comment about. Better than I could ever write.

The narration is very breathy and close to the mic. When characters are talking, she does an excellent job at sounding like different people with different emotions. However, when narrating the main character's thoughts (most of the book), she stays close to the mic with a repetitive cadence and breathy, desperate tone. As someone averse to close talkers and mouth sounds, it made for an uncomfortable listening experience.