Stefen’s Bookclub – October

The Memory Police
by Yoko Ogawa

This is a strangely compelling story set on a small island that is under the control of The Memory Police who decide for reasons of their own to remove things from the island. When they do this, not only are the physical objects taken away but the memory of them. Anything could be selected, a type of flower, a style of garment, a foodstuff and finally people. Those who question the Memory Police and those who somehow remember what was taken. Told from the perspective of a young author, the book is a journey through a place where the most bizarre happenings are normalised. It’s an interesting read and a unique and subtle take on how a culture and community can shift and change to accept a succession of ‘ new normal’ situations. I think this one will be fun to talk about ib the light of dystopian fiction we’ve read of the last few years.