In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear

By: JZ Murdock

Narrated by: Tom Remick

Length: 1 hr and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

An allegorical tale for these modern times exploring themes of morality, loyalty, and responsibility in a world that feels all too familiar, that is rapidly becoming reminiscent of a Philip K. Dick novel. Discover the shocking truth behind this mind-bending tale of a world-weary, bereaved and famous surgeon faced with a dilemma when his late son’s friend tells him he is suffering from a mortal illness. He knows that only he can save him, until he begins to wonder if there is more to his desire for help.

©2012 JZ Murdock (P)2018 JZ Murdock

Full of ideas, strange story structure

This is a short sci-fi story that feels in a similar vein to some of the short Philip K Dick stories. Interesting ideas, a strange world with a bit of a weird style of storytelling. The author isn’t as good as the amazing PKD, but there is a similarity in style and content.

‘In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear’ is a strange story. It is told from the point of view of an expert surgeon who befriended a billionaire, genius dictator then does a surgery on him that makes him nigh immortal. However most of the story is not exactly told by the surgeon, or by event told in real time, but is told by the surgeon watching a television show that is providing a dramatization of the surgeon and billionaire’s friendship. The surgeon provides thoughts and commentary on what he is seeing on the television, but the whole thing gives it a strange, impersonal feels. Very much being told about something, rather than seeing it unfold.

Within the story there is a whole lot of details of how be billionaire dictator came to be, with people slowly handing over control of everything to him. The way it happens doesn’t feel overly realistic, as it’s presented as more people actively giving up their agency to him, rather than it creeping up and taking them unawares. The concepts are interesting, they just don’t feel like something that could actually happen. There is also a whole lot of explanations of the guy’s inventions, such as teleportation and how it works (and how it proves there is no soul!) that just don’t flow with the story. The author put them in because he had a cool idea, either technologically or philosophically, that he wanted to tell but it doesn’t necessarily serve the story.

Once the story gets up to the present day and moves on from the ‘retelling through the TV’ element I enjoyed it more, with the ending being quite good.

Narration by Tom Remick is good. There is very few characters in this tale for him to have to differentiate for the listener, but I feel he did a good job of it, and of keeping interest through the book. He is generally well paced, easy to follow and engaging.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily.

Very enjoyable!

This is such an enjoyable book! Such detail and very descriptive. It’s as if I was watching it unfold in my mind. Could be a prediction of our future lol. Can’t wait to enjoy more of Murdock’s work

Strange story

I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review. The only thing I have to say about this one is that I sincerely hope it doesn't foretell the future.

Strange Future

A creepy short story of how the figure on the cover comes to be this Dr. Manhattan-ish creation. At first, it was difficult to follow, in part because the narration was a little dry and rushed (but clear enough). There are some interesting ideas here about the future of cyborgs, social media, and mass media that I won't spoil, but overall, it wasn't really a story for me. It was reminiscent of I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, in a presentation of a strange future ruled by an omnipotent AI-like being.

I received a review copy of this audiobook.

In Memory

A man helps his dead sons friend create programs to rule America.Where once it bothered him,now,he knows it was inevitable. Tom Remicks narration starts out slow and plodding but does pick up. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

A great diversion into what could be

It's always great to find a new author who is Examining the boundaries of technology, artificial intelligence and human emotions. This is really a fantastic book that looks into all these aspects.

What is human and what defines being a human.

Highly recommend this book to those who like the science fiction and psychological genre

Intriguing

This hour long science fiction story presents a well thought out and intriguing future. I don’t think the narrator’s bland performance did justice to the author’s words and ideas.

Fascinating and creepy

I found this book to be intriguing and unsettling all at the same time. The story was very original, the writing was solid, and the narrator was spot on. I would recommend it if you like dark, futuristic type short stories.

I was given this book free at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Unique Science Fiction Story

This is a weird story involving a surgeon operating on a rich man to make him an immortal cyborg. The cyborg character then becomes very powerful.