The Memory Theater

A Novel

By: Karin Tidbeck

Narrated by: Tanya Cubric

From the award-winning author of Amatka and Jagannath - a fantastical tour de force about friendship, interdimensional theater, and a magical place where no one ages, except the young

In a world just parallel to ours exists a mystical realm known only as the Gardens. It’s a place where feasts never end, games of croquet have devastating consequences, and teenagers are punished for growing up. For a select group of masters, it’s a decadent paradise where time stands still. But for those who serve them, it’s a slow torture where their lives can be ended in a blink. In a bid to escape before their youth betrays them, Dora and Thistle - best friends and confidants - set out on a remarkable journey through time and space. Traveling between their world and ours, they hunt for the one person who can grant them freedom. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious traveler who trades in favors and never forgets debts, a crossroads at the center of the universe, our own world on the brink of war, and a traveling troupe of actors with the ability to unlock the fabric of reality.

Endlessly inventive, The Memory Theater takes us to a wondrous place where destiny has yet to be written, life is a performance, and magic can erupt at any moment. It is Karin Tidbeck’s most engrossing and irresistible tale yet.

©2021 Karin Tidbeck (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

One of the Washington Post's Best Books of the Year

One of BuzzFeed's 21 Fantasy Books to Get Excited About this Winter

One of Tor's 30 Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2021

"The Memory Theater is exquisite and astonishing. The prose has a sculpted precision, every sentence both tense as a watch spring and serene as a mountain. Tidbeck skips from horror to wonder to humor like a stone skimming water, and is equally nimble in managing characters; each one steps onto the page fully formed no matter how minor the role.” (Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times)

“Blending fairy-tale atmosphere with ‘the real world,’ Karin Tidbeck’s The Memory Theater is lovely, dark, and hopeful all at the same time.” (Ann Leckie, author of the Imperial Radch Trilogy and The Raven Tower)

"At once arrestingly strange and hauntingly familiar, The Memory Theater is a brand new fairy tale you can almost remember hearing before." (Lara Elena Donnelly, author of the Amberlough Dossier)

Great premise, great narration, would recommend.

I really enjoyed this story because it isn't like anything else I've listened to. There were aspects that I would have changed, like the first half of the book is entrancing and I was desperate to know more but the end felt rushed/like it was forced to wrap up. Overall I enjoyed the listen though and would listen again.

Great book

Great story, strong world-building, impeccable narration and one of the best villains I’ve read on years. Very twisted fairy tale vibe, with a delicious eeriness throughout. Take a chance on this one.

This is an amazing book

If you like books like American gods, Jonathan Strange and mr Norell or other tales of gods and the Fae interacting with humans you will love this book.

It grips you from the start and takes untouched on a ever surprising journey through the multiverse and northern Sweden during the Second World War. Twists and turns and cleverness and every stop.

It takes a instant place among my all time favourite books and I can’t wait to reread it a second time while waiting for the next book by Swedish wonder Karin Tidbeck!

Forget about it

I gave up on this once, forced self to listen to it and I’m glad I did so that I wouldn’t feel like a credit was wasted but if this was included in the membership I would not have finished. Narrator is great.

Flawless

This is a flawless literary novel for anyone who’s ever enjoyed a fairytale – but also a satisfying adventure story about finding yourself, and trauma, and even vengeance. No idea how Karin Tidbeck does this, but what a gift it is.

Thank you Tanya Cubric

thank you Karin Tidebeck for this wonderful story and Audible has done something with the ratings.

An interesting read

I’ve never read anything like this before. It was interesting. I liked it. I was pulled into the world very quickly.