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The Memory Artists
Winner of the Canadian Authors Association Award for Best Novel
Noel Burun has synesthesia and hypermnesia: he sees words in vibrant explosions of colors and shapes, which collide and commingle to form a memory so bitingly perfect that he can remember everything, from the 1001 stories of "The Arabian Nights" to the color of his bib as a toddler. But for all his m...more
Noel Burun has synesthesia and hypermnesia: he sees words in vibrant explosions of colors and shapes, which collide and commingle to form a memory so bitingly perfect that he can remember everything, from the 1001 stories of "The Arabian Nights" to the color of his bib as a toddler. But for all his m...more
Paperback, 319 pages
Published
February 21st 2006
by St. Martin's Griffin
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Lorraine
rated it
Recommends it for:
Chemists, Poets, Psychologists
Recommended to Lorraine by:
randomly picked off the shelft at the public library
So different! I loved the uniqueness of the book. It is a novel, but designed to be a compilation of narrations and diary entries "written" by a neuropsychologist as if it were actually an academic work, complete with the narrator's endnotes (for once you actually need to read the endnotes!) Vorta, the doctor is a complete nut job, but you only really meet him through the endnotes and the character's discussion of him. Noel is a synesthesia and hypermnesia dealing with his mother's...more
This is a quick and engaging book to read. The characters are fabulous; they are interesting and sympathetic. But the plot gets more and more confusing as the book goes on. By the end, I had no clue what was happening. In fact, I found the ending very disappointing. The writing style isn't well-developed, and in my opinion could have benefited from more vigorous editing. Too much of the plot in the book seems to fall back on literary cliches. The dialogue is stiff and hackneyed.
That ...more
That ...more
I picked this up for £1 in Poundland (a UK chain of stores where everything is £1). My local branch often has hardback books which I can't resist so I often end up buying things that I wouldn't usually buy or even come across in normal bookshops.
This novel takes the form of a study reconstructed by a neuropsychologist of some of this patients with memory conditions - these range from those who can't remember anything to those who can't forget anything.
It's an interesting ...more
This novel takes the form of a study reconstructed by a neuropsychologist of some of this patients with memory conditions - these range from those who can't remember anything to those who can't forget anything.
It's an interesting ...more
A perhaps not so unusual piece of postmodern fiction. The hopes that I had for this book were definitely not met in that the focus was not on Noel's condition but instead, the relationships and similarities between himself, his mother, friends and to a lesser extent, his doctor. Through its simplicity the writing style is easy to follow despite jumping from character to character, which can be disconcerting for some. The most interesting element between the separate elements of the characters...more
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most of the character development is done entirely in question and answer format so that it's sort of like reading transcripts of a talk show rather than a novel. it was really grating until over half way in when i realized i really wanted to know how everything turns out for noel's mom and what the arabian nights had anything to do with anything. add in the science experiments and a darkened, secret laboratory and i was drawn in, completely.
also, this automatically gets a star for ...more
also, this automatically gets a star for ...more
The juxtaposition of lack of memory (Alzheimer's) and over-abundance of memory (synastheisa) was interesting, but I didn't connect with the characters very well.
I gave it 47 pages, at which point I put it down and decided to never pick it up again. I simply could not get past the loathsome, abusive, and deeply misogynistic character of Norval.
QUE PERSONAJES TAN DISPARES PUEDEN CONVIVIR EN PERFECTA ARMONIA, SIEMPRE QUE UNOS APORTEN A OTROS, LO QUE LES FALTA A CADA UNO. MUY ORIGINAL Y RECOMENDABLE.
The Memory Artists is almost hallucinatory, layered upon itself endlessly, revolving around the connection between memory, creativity and intelligence. As I was alternating between hilarity and utter confusion, I realized that this book is one of the most imaginative and creative works I've come across in awhile. Some of the cleverness didnt work all that well, such that in the end I had to say that it falls short of being a great novel, or even one of my favorites. But it is highly engaging, th...more
this one's about a guy with a super-memory and synaesthesia , trying to find a cure for his mother who has alzheimers, along with some friends. it's written as if it's a non-fiction account by the guy's neuropsychologist, complete with footnotes and interspersed with excerpts from all the other characters' diaries. i liked the odd structure (it was yet another bookslut recommendation and jessa read it because of the blurb from david mitchell, whose cloud atlas was another wonderful, structurally...more
One character with synethesia and hyper memory, his mother with Alzheimers, and a band of terrific, funny-sad supporting characters in a hopeful tale told in a dizzying variety of ways. Good stuff.
Anat
added it
Not very reliable.. but a nice source of enriching knowledge.
The proffessor character is very annoying.
The proffessor character is very annoying.
Third favorite of 2006. A young man with synethesia and his group of random friends try to cure his mother of Alzheimer’s.
i really liked this, you get so involved in the characters. cool little story.
The Memory Artists by Jeffrey Moore is one of those books that has been growing on me the longer I read it. Noel Burun has a condition called synaesthesia which causes him to attach colors to events from his past and part of the story is told from his point of view. (By the way, I looked up this condition and it does exist.) His mother has Alzheimers and part of the story is told from her point of view not to mention the points of view of other "unusual" characters that are also repres...more
a touching and clever novel.
its a great combo of characters. snotty cynical Rimbaud-wannabe, semi-autistic wingnut, hypergenius dork, etc
the alzheimer's stuff is sad cuz my grandmother had it, and it got even sadder when i read at the end in the acknowldegements that he learned a lot from his parents who both had it.
i like the interesting frame around the story, too, with the footnotes by the arrogant scientist, correcting things in the text and bragging about how g...more
its a great combo of characters. snotty cynical Rimbaud-wannabe, semi-autistic wingnut, hypergenius dork, etc
the alzheimer's stuff is sad cuz my grandmother had it, and it got even sadder when i read at the end in the acknowldegements that he learned a lot from his parents who both had it.
i like the interesting frame around the story, too, with the footnotes by the arrogant scientist, correcting things in the text and bragging about how g...more
Touching and well written
Brilliant book that plays with style on every page. THe narrotr switches voices so often that it will make you head spin, which is a great feeling when wrapping your head around this book. THe footnotes were amazingly detailed and added a great post modern comic relief to some dense material. This book will make you envious and relieved.
There was something about that book that refused to allow itself to be put down. The characters amused me, and change of narrative interested me and the ending surprised me.
Really interesting mix of science and art, but unfortunatly it kind of fizzled out in the end for me.
Would I read it again? Only if I had nothing better to read.
Would I read it again? Only if I had nothing better to read.
Nothing earth shattering, but a good and fascinating read. Explores the subject of hypermnesia as it meets synaesthesia in one particularly troubled young man.
Finally finished!
This book was a tough read, but I remember it having its own unique charm. The wonders of the brain are mysterious, indeed.
It started out really good then kinda fizzled out. I could have done without the footnotes.
"Şiir göklerdedir. Televizyon ise yerin dibinde."
sinestesia
Dense. So interesting. Inspiring in it's exploration of how dynamic the mental landscape can be. It took me a long time to read.
12/31/06
Michael
added it
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