Book Review 139
"A Memory Called Empire" by Arkady Martine
I've picked up this book because I heard that it is a epic space opera by a promising author. And I was rather disappointed by it.
After the first 20 or so pages, I've got a suspicion, and googled to check it. And it was confirmed: the author is a young woman. I have nothing against women writers, there are many great ones, like Ursula Le Guin (Review 135), Lois Bujold, Martha Wells (Review 111) and so on. But a man just could not write like this, with a lot of words, which are describing such uneventful setup. And it have nothing to do with the fact, that the protagonist is female (remember "Podkayne of Mars" by Robert Heinlein).
Even though this book was very plain and uneventful, I've decided to complete it anyway: I had a similar experience with "The Goblin Emperor" by Katherine Addison (Review 89), which I've enjoyed after all. But this time it wasn't the case.
Mind you, "A Memory Called Empire" is not really a bad book: it has a plot, and it is neatly built. Its only just like a weird kind of food, which has no nutritional value, nor look, nor taste. You would not throw it up, but what was the point of eating it?
So there is a huge, mighty and very decadent galactic empire (I had a subtle feeling, that the author was inspired by an Agatean empire from Pratchett's "Discworld", but there was nothing funny at all). An ambassador from a tiny, but proud and independent space station is arriving to its court to find her predecessor (who supposed to give a handover) long dead. And here it started.
Despite many Sci-Fi elements, they are absolutely not explained (unlike the most of books, there is not even a stupid explanation, how space travels are working in this work, or computers, or whatever). So it can't really be called a "Science" fiction, and the same plot can be easily transferred in any environment: fantasy, medieval or the modern world. But its not really an issue.
The real issue is that all the characters and all the landscapes are "flat". Not a single character has a slightest backstory: what is his personality, why he is acting like that? You must think for yourself. They have a motivation, but it is always caused by a minute need, not their personality. And this ancient galactic empire is also a cardboard one. How many years it exists? How many planet it comprises? Likely more than one, but it is not even hinted. They are extensively using poetry in political affairs. Can you look on some poems? Nope, here are 2 epithets for the whole book, imagine the rest for yourself. They are eating delicious (and decadent) food. Can we get a colorful view on it? Nope, you was told it was good, and it should be enough.
In a contrast with a motion picture, the book should leave more to your imagination. But it should tinkle it, and direct it. Which is barely the case with this book.
Closer to the end, it became obvious, that there will be a sequel. And I even was a bit interested, how it all ends. But not interested enough to spend about 15 hours to listen for it.
If you are a big fan of diet food and want to try a diet book, go for it. Otherwise, there a plenty of juicier treats on the market.