The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe (2022)

I thought I'd like this collection of tales set in a future where memories are regulated. Those that are contrary to the government's agenda are erased. I mean, afrofuturistic novellas, what's not to like? Unfortunately, I didn't.

It seems my opinion is in the minority, but couldn't get into it. The lofty nature of the prose just left me outside the story. So I skipped ahead to the story of Raven and Akilah. The pair has just moved into a new apartment. Raven is in nursing school and works at a spa. She's also exhausted, on the edge of collapsing. Akilah's all about the cause -- helping further the rights and dignity of their people -- and seems to work from home. Maybe? All I know is that she's obnoxious. She doesn't really seem to do anything except get on her soapbox. Which often means criticizing Raven. 'Raven's supposed to be dedicated to the cause but she's too selfish.' She doesn't help Raven when she's in distress. She's mostly critical of Raven. At one point, Raven doesn't have her keys, Akilah knows it and isn't home to let her in. Her reasons (excuses) show that she didn't think about Raven at all.

Raven discovers that their pantry is a pocket dimension, out of time. For Raven, it's salvation -- she'll have time to study for school without it taking time out of her day. She'll be able to sleep! But Akilah sees it as something they can use for the cause! She uses it (even smokes pot in it) but condemns Raven for wanting to sleep. She posts about the pantry in a treatise on subjugation and their people's stolen time, after Raven asks her to keep it a secret for now.

The ending is unclear but I think Raven comes home to discover Akilah has locked herself in the closet and won't come out, destroying Raven's (hope for the) future. By the end of the story, I really didn't like Akilah because she's selfish and self-centered. She's completely toxic and I really was disgusted with how Raven's killing herself for their life together and Akilah lounges at home in the closet, smoking pot.

All the reviews I read liked the collection. I did not. While the dystopian concepts were intriguing, the subliminal discontent and disappointment were too emotionally uncomfortable. Maybe that was the point? It's too close to the discontent I have with today's world and the people who live in it. The opaque (while lyrical) style of writing left me disengaged and ultimately dissatisfied.

For what I read, it was a 3 out of 5, but since I skimmed and abandoned it before I got to the end, this is a DNF for me.