The Memory Police

A Novel

By: Yoko Ogawa, Stephen Snyder - translator

Narrated by: Traci Kato-Kiriyama

*** 2019 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST ***
*** LONGLISTED FOR THE 2020 INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE AND THE 2020 TRANSLATED BOOK AWARD ***
*** NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF THE YEAR ***

A haunting Orwellian novel about the terrors of state surveillance, from the acclaimed author of The Housekeeper and the Professor.

On an unnamed island off an unnamed coast, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses—until things become much more serious. Most of the island's inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few imbued with the power to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten.

When a young woman who is struggling to maintain her career as a novelist discovers that her editor is in danger from the Memory Police, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards. As fear and loss close in around them, they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past.

A surreal, provocative fable about the power of memory and the trauma of loss, The Memory Police is a stunning new work from one of the most exciting contemporary authors writing in any language.

An unexpected pleasure

Not the typical book, I'd read what I really truly enjoyed it. Even the narration was pleasing after my trip to Japan. I've been reading more books from japanese authors.

Novel as Metaphor

Like a blank slate, the reader can assign meaning to this story in myriad ways.

As an American, elements in the plot symbolize how a regime can assert its agenda in small ways, so that the general population accept deprivations with little resistance. Dissent is squashed quietly. As larger rights are violated, dissenters are dealt with harshly and publicly to sow fear in objectors. A passive majority holds those that see danger and want change prisoner. The only way freedom is regained is when that public majority is eliminated by the regime. The regime itself disappears without a public to prop it up.

The languid pacing of the story is a mirror to the passivity of the characters. When danger and consequence fail to stir action, the mood shifts to those of frustration, acceptance, and inevitability. Inaction is action, it’s a choice, and a warning for what happens when we fail to use our voice.

Underwhelming

I enjoy dystopian stories a great deal, But it was with this book that I came to realize, I enjoy having a why behind why things are the way they are in the story. Or, even if I don't get a why, I enjoy the characters exploring and unwinding the how behind the way things work in these stories. There is no how or why in this story, just a long tail of how different characters are suffering in their different ways. Mone of the characters were interested in getting out, dismantling the powers that be, or even talking about how they got there. If you like long winded tales about people who have given up, then this is the book for you.

Meh

I love dystopian stories and sad endings but I felt nothing towards the characters, only Don and the old man. I don't even remember if anyone but the dog was named. I get the parallels between the novelist's story and the main story but when I would zone out I couldn't figure out which story I was listening to. It felt bland. also what happened to R's wife and kid?? I get the idea, and maybe a lot is lost in translation, but it fell flat for me.

Beautiful and haunting

This was a very thoughtful and sad read but well worth it. Do not go into it expecting an exciting story and you won’t be disappointed.