The Memory Police

by Yoko Ogawa
The Memory Police cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical
  • ID: 3997
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781101911815
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2020-07-28
  • Reviews: 3

On an unnamed island, objects are mysteriously disappearing, and those who remember them live in fear of the Memory Police. A young writer discovers her editor is in danger and hides him beneath her floorboards, using her writing as a way to preserve the past. The novel explores themes of loss, trauma, and the power of memory in a chilling Orwellian setting. /n/n The Memory Police is a powerful and provocative novel that has been recognized as one of the best books of the year by numerous publications, including The New York Times and The Guardian. It is a finalist for the International Booker Prize and the National Book Award, showcasing its impactful storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

Reviews
Madelinetodd.com · 2023-05-30
thought-provoking 4.20

The novel is compared to 1984 but takes a more literary approach. It is praised for its unique and thought-provoking exploration of memory and loss.

The reviewer from Madelinetodd.com compares The Memory Police to 1984 but notes that it takes a more literary approach. They appreciate the novel's unique and thought-provoking exploration of memory and loss. The reviewer finds the story to be compelling and thought-provoking, making it a significant and impactful read. The novel's ability to take readers to an uncomfortable place is highlighted, emphasizing its depth and complexity.

Quick quotes

    The Memory Police has been compared time and time again to 1984, and the comparison is clear, but it seemed to take a more literary approach.

    It will take you to an uncomfortable place.

    There's something ugly there, and I don't even know how to describe it.

The Monthly Booking · 2021-01-28
powerful 4.00

The story is considered universal and a strong defense of literature's significance and power. The writing is praised for its mastery.

The reviewer from The Monthly Booking views The Memory Police as a wholly universal story, emphasizing its strong defense of literature's significance and power. They appreciate Yoko Ogawa's masterful writing, which declines to offer redemption, making the story more impactful. The reviewer highlights the novel's ability to resonate with readers on a deep level, making it a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    A wholly universal story and a strong, rousing defence of literature's significance and power.

    Yoko Ogawa's masterful writing declines to give us redemption.

    It is a novel that makes us question the nature of memory and the trauma of loss.

The Guardian · 2019-08-23
profound 4.50

The novel is described as a masterpiece, offering deep insights and serving as both a fable and an allegory. It is praised for its profound exploration of memory and loss.

The reviewer from The Guardian hails The Memory Police as a masterpiece, highlighting its depth and the way it can be experienced as both a fable and an allegory. They appreciate the novel's ability to serve as a warning and a source of illumination. The story is seen as a deep pool of meaning, making it a significant and impactful read. The reviewer emphasizes the novel's exploration of memory and loss, making it a profound and thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    The Memory Police is a masterpiece: a deep pool that can be experienced as fable or allegory, warning and illumination.

    It is a novel that makes us question the nature of memory and the trauma of loss.

    Ogawa's writing is masterful, declinng to give us redemption.

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