These Memories Do Not Belong To Us by Yiming Ma
A Quietly Terrifying Glimpse Into a Future of Mind Control and Memory Censorship
Every once in a while, a dystopian novel comes along that doesn’t just imagine a dark future—it reflects our present in chilling ways. These Memories Do Not Belong To Us by Yiming Ma is one of those books. With a sharp, speculative premise and haunting themes, it’s a thought-provoking read that’s especially relevant in today’s world of surveillance, censorship, and data commodification.
Before diving in, I do want to note that I listened to this book in audiobook format, which unfortunately impacted my experience. The production quality made it difficult to follow at times: the narration lacked clear vocal distinctions to indicate whose memories we were reading, which may be more obvious in print but left me confused during the audio experience. Additionally, one of the narrator’s voices dropped so low in certain parts that I struggled to hear them, even with headphones in a quiet room. This format issue might be why my review feels more reserved than some of the glowing praise I’ve seen on Goodreads. That said, the concept behind the novel is incredibly compelling.
Set in a futuristic China ruled by the authoritarian regime of Qin, the story introduces us to a young man who inherits his deceased mother’s memories through a technology called the Mindbank. This world operates under a system of “memory capitalism,” where memories are stored, traded, and regulated—often with deep, personal consequences. The memories he inherits reveal truths that may be considered dangerous or unacceptable under the regime’s control, triggering a slow unraveling of his sense of self and safety. It’s not hard to draw comparisons to 1984 by George Orwell—but what Yiming Ma does here is take that dystopian blueprint and push it further. Rather than focusing solely on rewriting history through state-controlled media, this novel explores what it would mean for a government to censor or alter your personal memories. The implications are terrifying. If memories can be edited, erased, or deemed illegal, then what’s left of you as a person? Can identity survive in a world where even your own past isn’t truly yours? The book raises big, timely questions about power, truth, memory, and what it means to exist under constant ideological control. I often found myself pausing to reflect—and I plan to revisit this story in physical format because I’m sure I missed layers that the audio couldn’t convey.
However, I want to acknowledge a content warning: the novel includes themes of fatphobia and anti-disability eugenics. These elements are present in the world-building and ideology of the regime, and while they may be included to critique those systems, readers should be aware going in.
If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction that leans into philosophical and political questions, These Memories Do Not Belong To Us is well worth your time. It's not a fast-paced thriller, but rather a slow-burn, cerebral journey through a future that might not be so far off. For those interested in the ethics of memory, surveillance states, or speculative fiction that hits a little too close to home—add this to your TBR. Just maybe skip the audiobook if clarity is key for you.
“It’s easy to rewrite history when there is nobody to challenge your version of the past…”
RATING: 3.5/5
