The Persistence of Memory

Mnevermind Trilogy, Book 1

By: Jordan Castillo Price

Narrated by: Seth Clayton

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Every day, Daniel Schroeder breaks his father's heart.

While forgetting your problems won't solve them, it does seem like it would make life a heck of a lot easier. Daniel thought so once. Now he knows better. He and Big Dan have always been close, which makes it all the more difficult to break the daily news: the last five years were nothing like his father remembers.

They're both professionals in the memory field - they even run their own memory palace. So shouldn't they be able to figure out a way to overwrite the persistent false memory that's wreaking havoc on both of their lives? Daniel thought he was holding it together, but the situation seems to be sliding out of control. Now even his own equipment has turned against him, reminding him he hasn't had a date in ages by taunting him with flashes of an elusive man in black that only he can see.

Is it some quirk of the circuitry, or is Daniel headed down the same path to fantasy land as his old man?

©2012 Jordan Castillo Price (P)2016 Jordan Castillo Price

Better than I hoped for.

I’ve had this series for awhile and kept putting it off. It’s not normally a trope I’d go for. But the Psycop series is so fantastic, I finally tried this one. It’s just as awesome in it’s own way. I am now really looking forward to the rest of the series.

Gorgeous world-building and storytelling

This is one of those books in which you lose yourself. The strangeness of mnemography, the restless sense that brings that not knowing what's real and what's part of a Mneme for a big part of the first half of the story, and the haunting drabness of this slightly different world is what will hold your attention at first.

And then, there is Daniel. overwhelmed, frustrated and so, so tired. Dealing with his almost ruined shop, two jobs, a father who has lose in a persistent mneming, and too much work, too much worry, too much guilt...

He is feeling a bit sad and quite alone. Although there is a whole lot of odd characters that surround him (most of them family, but there is also good-hearted, goofy Larry, who is his only friend), there is nobody special in his heart, and there hasn't been one for a time. And then really weird... okay, weirder things begin to happen.

Cue to Elijah Crown, who, in his own words, is neurotypical, but who is also an ace when it comes to mnemography. He's also quite handsome, considers himself straight and is rather mysterious.

There isn't a lot of romance in this book, but what is here has the potential to became a striking love story.

Jordan Castillo Price's writing is always rewarding, and I have yet to find myself finishing one of her books dissatissfaied, but this one is sitting now between my favourites ones.

Seth Clayton does a marvelous job with the narration, his is spot-on while delivering, and every character is distinctive whitout becoming ridiculous. An excelent choice!

So, yes, I love this story. I love the characters and I NEED to know what will come after this fantastic, fabulous book.

If you love Philip K. Dick, this book is a must for you.

Intriguing story

There were a lot of things I really liked about this book & a couple things I didn't like quite as much.
What I liked: I sympathized greatly with Daniel; he wasn't perfect - he definitely had character flaws, but I felt for him; I was completely emotionally invested in his story. I found it interesting that he's 45 too. I liked all the main characters, (except those that are intentionally meant not to be liked, (cough, Daniel's mother, cough)). Daniel's father is a great guy. I even grew to like his one rather obnoxious coworker at his second job, who turned out to be more than he seemed in some ways. I'd like to know the "man in black" better as well. I liked the feel of the book, how it felt contemporary, but with the sci-fi aspect of the memory machines & atmospheric journeys into people's dreams. I also greatly enjoyed the narration - Seth did a fantastic, completely perfect job.
What I didn't like so much: While I appreciated the slow burn & suspense, I wanted the book to continue so that I could see MORE of what goes on with a budding romance, to see more of everything. There is a very abrupt ending, clearly meant to lead us into the next book, but I would've appreciated to have the story continue in one volume, even if it meant for a twice-as-long book. This wasn't the kind of cliffhanger that left me stunned, with bated breath; instead, it just left me feeling like there just should've been the next chapter. The only other thing I didn't like was some of the ableist language - the R-word is used more than once & it should've been clearer that it is a horrid term to use. There is also some characterization of fat people that some might object to.
So - I did like it. I will probably read the next one at some point soon, but I mostly would've liked for this book & the next to just continue on as one book.

A Wickedly Fun Novel

Audiobooks are usually my least favourite way to enjoy a novel, but Jordan Castillo Price's Mnevermind audiobook is a pleasure to experience. There were parts that had me laughing aloud, especially the reader's perfectly dry delivery of Daniel's humour. Seth Clayton was definitely the best narrator for this novel.

The emotional ups and downs of Mnevermind were enhanced by this medium. Hearing the characters come to life made it impossible for me to turn off the novel. The story itself is equal parts fascinating and heart-wrenching. The intricacies of the Mnevermind world are fascinating, and the emotional ties Daniel has with the other characters in this book are fully formed and beautifully expressed.

I own and have reread this series several times, but next time I intend to listen to this novel rather than read it. This audiobook is just that perfect.

Loved it!!

What made the experience of listening to The Persistence of Memory the most enjoyable?

I loved this book when I read it previously. Listening to it in audio reminded me of what a brilliant story this is.

What did you like best about this story?

JCP can do no wrong. I'll follow her down any rabbit hole she leads me. Truly one of the best storytellers writing today.

What about Seth Clayton’s performance did you like?

Seth Clayton was the perfect narrator for this book. His Aunt Pipsy and Larry were a delight. I like that he treated Elijah's voice so well. It will be interesting to see what he does with Elijah in the second book.

great story

This story is based on an interesting and potentially possible concept . JCP describeds the experience so well as to make it tangible and believable. The characters are a great mix and there is humor and humanity in equal measure. I maybe biased but I always enjoy JCP book and this was no exception. The narration was good when listened to at 1.20 speed.

Interesting story, well told

I had previously read the book and enjoyed it but it was a few years ago. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the characters who are so fully developed and interesting. I love characters that are a little older (Daniel, the main character is in his 40s) and have some flaws. The romantic interest turns out to be somewhere on the autism scale which was also well done. The story is pretty unique about new technology and how it would work with our current society. The plot works really well in the audiobook format as it keeps your interest and makes you want to hear the next part. The narrator did a good job with the pacing and tone of the book. It was easy to get lost in the story and enjoy it being read.
The only downside is that I want to reread the rest of the trilogy and they aren't in audiobook yet.

Such a great mind play! Wonderful!

So, I admit. I was absolutely NOT attracted to this series when I read the blurbs on the books. I’m not into dystopian stuff and though I can appreciate a good mind fuck, that’s not generally what I look for in a romance. It sounded like there was going to be some sort of robot or electrically created person… yeah. Not my thing. But… I like Seth Clayton as a narrator and I ADORE all the stuff I’ve ever read by Jordan Castillo Price so… I said – I’ll give it a try!

OMG.

It both is and isn’t what I expected. But it is friggin’ awesome!

So, yeah. It’s a bit dark. (Not nearly as dark as the Mary series or Meatworks, though.) Daniel is up against a wall both emotionally and financially, so he’s not super cheery and he’s really not even looking for a hook up much less a relationship.

I’m not going to go into much detail about the story – because what’s the fun in that? You’ll have to figure things out along with Daniel as far as what’s what. But… I will tell you that I was very surprised by the turn of events – pleasantly.

Besides a fascinating bit of science and philosophy (what is memory, experience, reality, etcetera) there is some moral dilemma thrown in here, a bit of hurt/comfort and disability type stuff as well.

The stuff about reality is really compelling. Everyone’s had that sensation of trying to figure out “am I dreaming” or waking up from a dream KNOWING it was real, but then eventually figuring out that it wasn’t. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s disappointing. With this “technology” that sense of memory goes one step further and blurs the definition of “reality”. Add to that when things go wrong… it makes for a very compelling story.

I found “the man in black” to be fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more about him. Which leads me to how this is both awesome and sucky at the same time. On the one hand I’m psyched because I can at least read the next two books in the series – but I’m bummed because only one (so far) in audio format and the audio is awesome!

Seth Clayton did a lovely job with Lane Hayes’ books as well as Raine O’Tierney’s book, so I knew he would at least be acceptable. Well, he really seemed to fit this genre/story to a “T”. He adds in some “special effects” with his voice, he does the dry humor perfectly, and manages to give everyone a unique voice without making anyone (including aunt Pipsie) sound ridiculous. He definitely added to my overall enjoyment of the story and really brought this to life. I loved how he handled “the man in black’s” character in addition to (of course) Daniel and Larry and his Dad.
(I can’t wait for the audio – I’m gonna read the next two books – but I’m gonna be excited for the audios when they come, too!)

Highly recommended. 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful!

What made the experience of listening to The Persistence of Memory the most enjoyable?

I love Jordan Castillo Price, and the complex characters that she creates. Her world is familiar and feels utterly believable, her people are flawed, lovable and interesting.

What about Seth Clayton’s performance did you like?

Seth Clayton's performance is fantastic, he makes this book and the people in it come alive to the listener.

Outstanding narrator takes it to the next level

This is another book/series that I didn't review because I basically just want to pour my love for it over it from a pitcher, lol. I love how JCP creates real, average people that are facing challenges we all do, but it's all wrapped up in something that is just on the edge of possible. Dan is great, he's overcome with grief about about what happened to Big Dan, and he's put his life on hold because of it, but he still has the spark of hope that things can get better. Elijah is exploring himself and his life in ways he's never done before. JCP treats him and his challenges, as someone on the autism spectrum, with respect. The side characters are all fleshed out as well. Plus the idea of Mneme is fun to explore, while also being presented as a business and something that can have consequences, instead of just something fun and fantastical.

Audio: Seth Clayton is an amazing narrator. He is one of my favorites. He acts things out, gives everyone a distinct voice, and overall is great to listen to. I love his voices for Dan and Elijah, but Aunt Pipsy's voice cracks me up, there isn't a voice I don't appreciate. I will look for other audio books that he narrates because he is that good.