--- product_id: 217701112 title: "The Memory Police: An enthralling Japanese dystopia you’ll never forget" brand: "yoko ogawa, stephen snyder" price: "105.32 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/217701112-the-memory-police-an-enthralling-japanese-dystopia-you-ll-never store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # The Memory Police: An enthralling Japanese dystopia you’ll never forget **Brand:** yoko ogawa, stephen snyder **Price:** 105.32 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Memory Police: An enthralling Japanese dystopia you’ll never forget by yoko ogawa, stephen snyder - **How much does it cost?** 105.32 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/217701112-the-memory-police-an-enthralling-japanese-dystopia-you-ll-never) ## Best For - yoko ogawa, stephen snyder enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted yoko ogawa, stephen snyder brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description On an unnamed island, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses. . . Most of the inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those who remember live in fear of the Memory Police. 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? 'Beautiful... Haunting' Sunday Times 'This timeless fable of control and loss feels more timely than ever' Guardian 'A dreamlike story of dystopia' Jia Tolentino WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ‘I cried. . . cracking ending’ 5* reader review ‘I loved it!’ 5* reader review ‘A must read’ 5* reader review ‘Worth 6 stars… what a novel!’ 5* reader review ‘Dark and unsettling - a fantastic read’ 5* reader review *SHORTLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE* ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Dimensions | 12.9 x 1.8 x 19.7 cm | | Edition | 1st | | Isbn 10 | 1784700444 | | Isbn 13 | 978-1784700447 | | Item Weight | 205 g | | Language | English | | Print Length | 288 pages | | Publication Date | 6 Aug. 2020 | | Publisher | Vintage | ## Images ![The Memory Police: An enthralling Japanese dystopia you’ll never forget - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91fEo8GcNML.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Terrifying dystopian novel... *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 10 September 2023* I'm travelling to Japan in a few weeks and have been trying to read a few popular Japanese novels to try to find some of the cultural references. This book appears in many of the recommendation lists so I thought I would try it.274 pages split into 28 chapters, this book was published in Japan during 1994 then as an English translation in 2019.The unusual concept if the first thing I noticed. Gradually objects were being "disappeared" in some sort of thought control exercise reminiscent of 1984. This is a definite dystopian idea with the level of control being physical and psychological.Secondly the language stands out as being beautifully descriptive - even more impressive than normal as this is a translation. I had to read this slowly to appreciate the wonderful writing - e.g. "eyes as still as a lovely swamp deep in the woods" - very atmospheric.....I found myself quickly fascinated by the idea of items being removed permanently from the world and memories of them being taken at the same time. The mechanics of the removals are curious - sometimes a natural process yet some disappearances are much more forced.The story considers how different people deal with their memories - some clinging on and others happy to get rid of them.The novel encourages the reader to think and I found some very modern issues to consider. Physical photographs are uncommon in our modern society but digital photos are at almost epidemic levels - how does this effect the memory of the actual event? This is something that is explored in the novel.The main character is a writer and her novels are a reflection of her world, thinking about the relationship between imagination and memory - which feeds which? Her novel seems to allow her to voice feelings that she is unable to articulate in her "real world".As well as comparisons to George Orwell novels, I also thought about Margaret Attwood books - particularly thinking about the Memory Police with their long coats and big boots.So many elements of the plot are scary, with one of the most terrifying seeing how easily people accept what they are told to think. Again, parallels to our society today.Spooky that this book will sit next to 1984 in my bookshelf (obviously I store books alphabetically by author......). ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not the story I expected *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 16 December 2025* I'll admit to being sucked in by the appearance in the daily deals and the synopsis which suggested something altogether more "thrilling". This is a strange, slowly paced story with an intriguing concept that leaves a lot of work to the reader.The pretext is that for - most - inhabitants on an unnamed island, objects can "disappear", both physically and mentally. Those who do not forget, are seemingly disappeared by the titular "Memory Policy". The central character is an author who takes it upon herself to secret away a friend who is able to retain memories and the story follows the outcome of this through to the end.This is not a conventional mystery/thriller novel but more of a fable, parable or allegory for all sorts of issues, that seemingly centre around resistance of tyranny, significance of memory and quite frankly the nature of reality and experience.An important quote for me was "The meaning isn't important. What matters is the story hidden deep in the words. You're at the point now where you're trying to extract that story. Your soul is trying to bring back the things it lost in the disappearances."Do not read this if you want fast-paced narrative with explanatory backstory context and a neat and tidy ending that answers all your questions. But, if you're happy with something fuzzier and thought provoking (although I remain ever confused) this is for you. ### ⭐⭐⭐ Good writer, terrible storyline *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 13 January 2022* This book was like someone constantly promising you something amazing but never following through. Really just... a wasted opportunity. Like she couldn't actually think of where to go with it. Something akin to ending on "and then she woke up and it was all a dream" every time you think something interesting is about to happen. Just utter disappointment.I will, however, give the writer kudos on her good writing. She has a way of making even boring dialogue interesting, but by half way through even her writing could not salvage the burning wreckage that was this book. It was like she read 1984 by Orwell and attempted to make the most boring version of it possible. There is zero political intrigue - and the only moment there was she ruined it - there was no intrigue at all in fact. It was just a boring book with an absurd ending that had no point or reason and failed to explain any of the ridiculous points she made. I would give it 1 or 2 stars for storyline but her obvious writing abilities knocked it up to 3. ## Frequently Bought Together - Memory Police, The - I Who Have Never Known Men - White Nights – Fyodor Dostoyevsky | A Million-Copy Bestseller | A Timeless Story of Love, Longing & Solitude – Penguin Classics --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/217701112-the-memory-police-an-enthralling-japanese-dystopia-you-ll-never](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/217701112-the-memory-police-an-enthralling-japanese-dystopia-you-ll-never) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-08-25*