The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer

In the music, fashion, film, and futurist icon Janelle Monáe's The Memory Librarian, different threads of liberation become tangled in a totalitarian landscape, and the costs of unravelling them are explored. The stories are grounded in the human trials of identity expression, technology, and love, and reach into the worlds of memory and time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

In her captivating music, fashion, film, and futurist icon Janelle Monáe delves once again into the Afrofuturistic realm of her critically acclaimed album, Dirty Computer, to explore the intricate web of liberation threads, including queerness, race, gender plurality, and love, that intertwine within a totalitarian landscape. Through this exploration, she uncovers the profound costs associated with unraveling these threads.

Whoever holds dominion over our memories wields immense control over the future. Janelle Monáe, in collaboration with a remarkable ensemble of talented artists, has crafted a collection of tales that encapsulate the bold vision and profound themes that have established Monáe as a captivating and celebrated storyteller.

Dirty Computer unveiled a world where the power to control or erase thoughts lay in the hands of a select few. Whether they were human, artificial intelligence, or something else entirely, the lives and consciousness of individuals were determined by those who believed they possessed the authority to shape their fate.

However, a remarkable individual by the name of Jane 57821 made a decision to remember and break free from this oppressive existence. This expansion of the mythos delves into the realities of living in a totalitarian society, showcasing the challenges and sacrifices required to escape its grasp.

Drawing inspiration from esteemed speculative writers like Octavia Butler, Ted Chiang, Becky Chambers, and Nnedi Okorafor, The Memory Librarian presents a tapestry of tales that are firmly rooted in the human experiences of identity expression, technology, and love. Yet, it extends beyond the confines of our world, venturing into the realms of memory and time, where profound stakes and power reside.

Through these captivating stories, Janelle Monáe invites readers to embark on a journey of exploration, challenging our perceptions of reality and illuminating the transformative power of remembrance and liberation.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 160 x 243 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008512408