United States
![Janelle Monáe - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B09BBBCSTH.jpg)
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer
In The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, singer-songwriter, actor, fashion icon, activist, and worldwide superstar Janelle Monáe brings to the written page the Afrofuturistic world of one of her critically acclaimed albums, exploring how different threads of liberation-queerness, race, gender plurality, and love-become tangled with future possibilities of memory and time in such a totalitarian landscape…and what the costs might be when trying to unravel and weave them into freedoms.
Whoever controls our memories controls the future.
Janelle Monáe and an incredible array of talented collaborating creators have written a collection of tales comprising the bold vision and powerful themes that have made Monáe such a compelling and celebrated storyteller. Dirty Computer introduced a world in which thoughts-as a means of self-conception-could be controlled or erased by a select few. And whether human, A.I., or other, your life and sentience was dictated by those who'd convinced themselves they had the right to decide your fate.
That was until Jane 57821 decided to remember and break free.
Expanding from that mythos, these stories fully explore what it's like to live in such a totalitarian existence…and what it takes to get out of it. Building off the traditions of speculative writers such as Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Becky Chambers, and Nnedi Okorafor-and filled with the artistic genius and powerful themes that have made Monáe a worldwide icon in the first place-The Memory Librarian serves readers tales grounded in the human trials of identity expression, technology, and love, but also reaching through to the worlds of memory and time within, and the stakes and power that exists there.
Whoever controls our memories controls the future.
Janelle Monáe and an incredible array of talented collaborating creators have written a collection of tales comprising the bold vision and powerful themes that have made Monáe such a compelling and celebrated storyteller. Dirty Computer introduced a world in which thoughts-as a means of self-conception-could be controlled or erased by a select few. And whether human, A.I., or other, your life and sentience was dictated by those who'd convinced themselves they had the right to decide your fate.
That was until Jane 57821 decided to remember and break free.
Expanding from that mythos, these stories fully explore what it's like to live in such a totalitarian existence…and what it takes to get out of it. Building off the traditions of speculative writers such as Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Becky Chambers, and Nnedi Okorafor-and filled with the artistic genius and powerful themes that have made Monáe a worldwide icon in the first place-The Memory Librarian serves readers tales grounded in the human trials of identity expression, technology, and love, but also reaching through to the worlds of memory and time within, and the stakes and power that exists there.
Editorial Reviews
"Blistering, hopeful, and richly written. . . All readers will finish the book craving more of these extremely queer, bold stories that battle gatekeeping and erasure, digging into both the worst potential of a surveillance state and the gritty glimmer of the rebellion that can defeat it." -- Booklist (starred review)
"A moving, triumphant collection...This is a knockout." -- Publishers Weekly(starred review)
"Mona´e's collection speaks to both the sf tradition of mind-control tyranny and the way that the powerful marginalize individuals in order to control the whole. Highly recommended for readers of conspiracy and thought-control sf or of Afrofuturist works by the likes of Octavia Butler, Nalo Hopkinson, N.?K. Jemisin, and Nnedi Okorafor." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"Emotionally raw and with a wholehearted love for people, these stories will make readers long to forge deeper human connections by sharing and holding one another's memories...A celebration of queer and Afrofuturist science fiction saluting creativity in difference." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Janelle Monáe is a creative superstar who has tackled everything from music to fashion to film. And with The Memory Librarian, she enters the literary world, proving that there's truly nothing she can't do. . . Echoes of classics like Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind mix powerfully with explorations of genderqueerness, love, race, and more. . . True to the science fiction genre, The Memory Librarian is an assemblage of hope; liberation emerges when our memories and histories are used as educators. This one is sure to leave an impression." -- Bust Magazine
"Each story in this collection is a searing but ultimately hopeful glimpse into how marginalized groups can hope and create in a world set against them. Written with a group of collaborators, including award-winning authors and sociologists, this book is reminiscent of the anti-racist and community-building themes present in N.K. Jemisin and Nnedi Okorafor's work, as well as the utopian philosophy of Ursula K. Le Guin and the dystopian technological vision of Philip K. Dick. It's a stunning collection of stories." -- Buzzfeed
"The Memory Librarian is full of memorable and believable characters ...
"A moving, triumphant collection...This is a knockout." -- Publishers Weekly(starred review)
"Mona´e's collection speaks to both the sf tradition of mind-control tyranny and the way that the powerful marginalize individuals in order to control the whole. Highly recommended for readers of conspiracy and thought-control sf or of Afrofuturist works by the likes of Octavia Butler, Nalo Hopkinson, N.?K. Jemisin, and Nnedi Okorafor." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"Emotionally raw and with a wholehearted love for people, these stories will make readers long to forge deeper human connections by sharing and holding one another's memories...A celebration of queer and Afrofuturist science fiction saluting creativity in difference." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Janelle Monáe is a creative superstar who has tackled everything from music to fashion to film. And with The Memory Librarian, she enters the literary world, proving that there's truly nothing she can't do. . . Echoes of classics like Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind mix powerfully with explorations of genderqueerness, love, race, and more. . . True to the science fiction genre, The Memory Librarian is an assemblage of hope; liberation emerges when our memories and histories are used as educators. This one is sure to leave an impression." -- Bust Magazine
"Each story in this collection is a searing but ultimately hopeful glimpse into how marginalized groups can hope and create in a world set against them. Written with a group of collaborators, including award-winning authors and sociologists, this book is reminiscent of the anti-racist and community-building themes present in N.K. Jemisin and Nnedi Okorafor's work, as well as the utopian philosophy of Ursula K. Le Guin and the dystopian technological vision of Philip K. Dick. It's a stunning collection of stories." -- Buzzfeed
"The Memory Librarian is full of memorable and believable characters ...
Readers Top Reviews
Kindle Aaron L.
I purchased both the book and pre-ordered the audio book on Audible and it comes with a pdf because I'm a huge fan of her music and movies but these were drawn out tales that were boring and not really appealing. She does such a fantastic job with her music and videos but this just didn't cary over. I kept going with the tales thinking they'd get better but they didn't. I found the tales extremely wordy, too long and a very slow pace. She was trying to paint a picture but I think her circle failed her by telling her these tales were good. Keep your money and go listen to her music or videos, have mixed feelings because I'm a diehard but anyone saying this was good got it for free or PR
archmandrateKindl
For those of us who are fans of Janelle Monae's work, we are always wanting more from her. She's such an amazing storyteller, and besides wanting to dance to her music, we have to see where the story goes! In this collection, she does exactly that, building off DIRTY COMPUTER and giving us insights into the before, during, and after of the world we glimpsed from the album and the short film. I loved each story, and thought that each collaborator brought their own unique voice to Janelle's vision, yet all tied together wonderfully.
Tanner GTanner Ga
Love love love this book. The way it’s written, the world it takes you into, the captivation it holds. This is an amazing read.
MoniqueMoniqueTan
I'm not alone. And this book proves it. There's a place for us, the bullied, the hurt, the "never enoughs". The different. If you listened to any of Mx. Janelle's music, this book is for you. My heart is whole because I'm not alone. If you like page turners, you're in for a treat. ☺
