Memories of the Future (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Siri Hustvedt |
| Products | Novel |
Memories of the Future is a 2019 novel authored by American writer Siri Hustvedt. The narrative centers on a protagonist identified as S.H. or "Minnesota," who uncovers a journal she kept four decades earlier.
Writing and development
Hustvedt sought to dispute the stereotype that autobiographical fiction written by women lacks the creativity found in similar works by men.
Style and contents
Blending autobiographical aspects, the novel has been characterized as autofiction. It also includes illustrations created by Hustvedt herself, depicting various men such as Marcel Duchamp and Donald Trump.
Critical reception
Catherine Taylor, writing for The Financial Times, compared the book to the finest productions of American filmmaker David Lynch. Reviewers commended Hustvedt’s rich portrayal of New York City, with Sam Sacks emphasizing the genuine depiction of S.H.’s interaction with her neighbor, Lucy. In The Guardian, Sarah Crown remarked on Hustvedt’s exuberant representation of New York as "hot, dirty and cacophonous."
Elena Goukassian, contributing to The Los Angeles Review of Books, offered a less favorable comparison to Hustvedt’s first novel, The Blindfold, criticizing Memories of the Future for its tendency toward "over-explanation." Goukassian interpreted this as indicative of a wider pattern during the Trump era, where artists amplify thematic elements in their creations.
Accolades
This novel was included on the longlist for the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction.