capriceum

On an isolated island, oppressed citizens are slowly stripped of their material reality.

This was a very tightly crafted story. It didn't drag for a moment and every line moved the story forward. The oppressive atmosphere permeated every page, and made for some striking dismal imagery.

It's never really explained why, but the Memory Police have better things, and are clearly the bourgeoisie. Food is scarce, but the Memory Police have plenty to eat. And they have tea, which is usually a sign of high-class sophistication. They have higher quality boots for the snow, elegant furnishings, and fancy limousines to chauffeur people to their deaths. One disappearance after another they take away people's ability to maintain a normal life. Not unlike the capitalist's slowly taking away the rights of their workers. With each disappearance, most people say they will simply learn to live with it as they have every time. Sort of like how Amazon warehouse workers likely had to just learn live with having their steps counted while on the clock, and not being able to sit down or take bathroom breaks.

One summary of this book called it Orwellian, and that is a perfect description. There is constant surveillance, a hidden room where forbidden knowledge is cherished, and a bleak setting with characters persisting against all odds. Truly a powerful story with a powerful ending.