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.

Entertaining and nice niche

I am not too much of a fiction reader. It is the first novel I read in a while. I think the futuristic aspect of it pulled me in. I think it is well written. It's interesting enough to entertain and question. I don't know how to compare to the same genre.

Unusual striking and beautiful

This disturbing story pulls one into itself and holds a slow and building suspense. It is a cross between so many genre that is a complete original. I’m so so So glad I listened!

It was ok

For a story with such a high concept, it felt kind of shallow. Maybe because the protagonist despite her internal dialogue, didn't feel exceptional in any way. We are told she is special and different to the other mems but I see little evidence of that. If it is an allegory about race, then her being so different to her catatonic or broken peers does not paint the picture I think it is intended to paint.

For fans of Klara and the Sun

A look from the outside in at what makes us human, how our experiences shape us, and how we interact with our memories. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

What I wanted "Klara and the Sun" to be.

I am stingy with 5 stars, but this novel deserves every one. It is set in Montreal of the 1920's and '30's and a technology exists in which memories can be extracted. These memories, referred to as mems, "live" for a time independent of, but the legal property of, their source. One of these mems is unique - in ways best left to the reader to discover - but it is she who tells the tale. I came to care deeply about Elsie, and every other richly drawn character in this novel. Each and every one is multilayered and provides their own insights and perspective. Think of each as a piece of cellophane onto which a portion of a picture has been drawn. With each page you get a bit better idea of what you are looking at, but it is not until they are all in place that you have a full picture. And what a picture it is.