book data
55 ratings, 3.73 average rating, 13 reviews
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published
2006
by St. Martin's Griffin
binding
Paperback, 336 pages
isbn
0312349254
(isbn13: 9780312349257)
description
Winner of the Canadian Authors Association Award for Best Novel
Noel Burun has synesthesia and hypermnesia: he sees words in vibrant explosi...more
Noel Burun has synesthesia and hypermnesia: he sees words in vibrant explosi...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 95)
Read in January, 2008
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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Read in February, 2008
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 being ab...more
also, this automatically gets a star for being ab...more
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Read in January, 2008
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
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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
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Steev by:
raquel
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 great the swiss are...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 great the swiss are...more
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Read in July, 2006
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. Definitely experimental and creative. I can't remember the last time I liked so many characters. Nothing was foreshadowed to the point where the impact was blurred. It is worth reading for the rant about the version of "French" that is spoken in Quebec alone. It took me awhile to read; it's very erudite.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
readers
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.
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Read in August, 2007
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.
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Read in January, 2007
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.
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Read in April, 2007
Nothing earth shattering, but a good and fascinating read. Explores the subject of hypermnesia as it meets synaesthesia in one particularly troubled young man.
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Read in August, 2006
This book was a tough read, but I remember it having its own unique charm. The wonders of the brain are mysterious, indeed.
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It started out really good then kinda fizzled out. I could have done without the footnotes.
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