Scan barcode
A review by brusboks
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I started this collection of short stories with great excitement, but spent a long time finishing it.
The longest story, of Jane, Neer, and the rest of the people at Pynk, could for instance be longer. People are not developed properly, instead being cardboard characters. For instance, while I appreciate having a transphobe as the villain, the villain fell flat as a character. There are multiple other villains in stories where their misguided beliefs turn to evil, showing the depths of evil. This was missing here.
The world building was also missing, and even if it is perhaps to be a relational work of a bigger transmedial work (cue song lyrics and music videos), the music videos show much greater craftsmanship at world-building. And at times it feels like this collection of short stories are descriptions of music videos.
But making a work of stories set in a world that mixes sci-fi and magical realism is not that easy to write, because worlds so easily crash and as a writer you have to make sure the worlds are merged.
The book does end on a high note, and the last short story is what saves the collection in many ways. Perhaps that is what makes it the most memorable.
The longest story, of Jane, Neer, and the rest of the people at Pynk, could for instance be longer. People are not developed properly, instead being cardboard characters. For instance, while I appreciate having a transphobe as the villain, the villain fell flat as a character. There are multiple other villains in stories where their misguided beliefs turn to evil, showing the depths of evil. This was missing here.
The world building was also missing, and even if it is perhaps to be a relational work of a bigger transmedial work (cue song lyrics and music videos), the music videos show much greater craftsmanship at world-building. And at times it feels like this collection of short stories are descriptions of music videos.
But making a work of stories set in a world that mixes sci-fi and magical realism is not that easy to write, because worlds so easily crash and as a writer you have to make sure the worlds are merged.
The book does end on a high note, and the last short story is what saves the collection in many ways. Perhaps that is what makes it the most memorable.