Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2020, an enthralling Orwellian novel about the terrors of state surveillance from one of Japan's greatest writers. 'Beautiful... Haunting' Sunday Times 'A dreamlike story of dystopia' Jia Tolentino __________ Hat, ribbon, bird rose. To the people on the island, a disappeared thing no longer has any meaning. It can be burned in the garden, thrown in the river or handed over to the Memory Police. Soon enough, the island forgets it ever existed. When a young novelist discovers ...
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Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2020, an enthralling Orwellian novel about the terrors of state surveillance from one of Japan's greatest writers. 'Beautiful... Haunting' Sunday Times 'A dreamlike story of dystopia' Jia Tolentino __________ Hat, ribbon, bird rose. To the people on the island, a disappeared thing no longer has any meaning. It can be burned in the garden, thrown in the river or handed over to the Memory Police. Soon enough, the island forgets it ever existed. When a young novelist discovers that her editor is in danger of being taken away by the Memory Police, she desperately wants to save him. For some reason, he doesn't forget, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for him to hide his memories. Who knows what will vanish next? __________ Finalist for the National Book Award 2019 Longlisted for the Translated Book Award 2020 New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year 'This timeless fable of control and loss feels more timely than ever' Guardian, Books of the Year 'Echoes the themes of George Orwell's 1984, but it has a voice and power all its own' Time 'A novel that makes us see differently... A masterpiece' Madeleine Thien
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Fine. B-format paperback. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
There have always been disappearances on the island, objects come and go, people disappear, concepts vanish in a single night. But when this process starts to speed up - what else do the Memory Police want forgotten?
The Memory Police was originally written in Japanese in 1994 and was translated for this copy by Stephen Snyder. The translation is lovingly done, there is a lot of very quotable extracts from this book and the writing flows very well and doesn't really feel like it has been translated. The story itself is beautiful and haunting. It reminded me a lot of books such as 1984, Equilibrium and Ella Minnow Pea. Although written a while ago the themes feel very prevalent within today's society.
I enjoyed the short story of the typist which is told throughout the book and mirrors the main plot well. The whole book is chilling and lovely to read and asks some really important questions about how much the government has control of it's citizens and how far this can be pushed. Although it starts out quite plausible, with self- fulfilling prophecies of things that 'disappear' - such as objects that are willingly burnt by the citizens, things amp up to its conclusion with more abstract things disappearing or being forgotten. The tension is kept up throughout and the book held my interest and stayed with me long after I put it down.
Overall The Memory Police is a beautifully haunting tale with a powerful message - highly recommended! Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK - Vintage Publishing and Harvill Secker for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
