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Nostalgia
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
34 posts | 11 read | 17 to read
In the indeterminate future in an unnamed western city, physical impediments to immortality have been overcome. As society approaches the prospect of eternal life, a new problem must be confronted: with the threat of the brain's storage capacity being overwhelmed, people want to move forward into the future free from redundant, unwanted and interfering memories. Rejuvenated bodies require rejuvenated identities--all traces of a person's past are erased and new, complete fictions are implanted in their stead. On occasion, though, cracks emerge, and reminders of discarded lives seep through. Those afflicted suffer from Leaked Memory Syndrome, or Nostalgia, whereby thoughts from a previous existence burrow in the conscious mind threatening to pull sufferers into an internal abyss.
Doctor Frank Sina specializes in sealing these memory leaks. He is satisfied in his profession, more or less secure in the life he shares with his much younger lover, content with his own fiction--a happy childhood in the Yukon, an adulthood marked by the influence of a mathematician father and poet mother. But one day, Presley Smith arrives in Frank's office. Persistent thoughts are torturing Presley, recurring images of another time and place. As he tries to save Presley from the onslaught of memory, Frank finds clues that suggest Presley's past may be located in war-torn, nuclear-ravaged Maskinia, a territory located in the southern hemisphere, isolated from the north by fiercely guarded borders and policy barriers. Frank's suspicions are only intensified when the Department of Internal Security takes an interest in Presley. They describe him as one of their own, meaning his new life was one they created for him, and they want him back. Who was Presley before the Department remade him, what secrets are buried in the memories that are encroaching upon him?
As Frank tries to save Presley from both internal and external threats, cracks emerge in his own fiction, and the thoughts that sneak through suggest a connection with the mysterious Presley that goes well beyond a doctor and his patient.
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Eyelit
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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My parents recently visited and left behind a couple boxes of old school papers/photos. I‘ve been slowly going through them and came across this gem. I don‘t think there is anything more on brand in the collection than this award. 😂📚👏

Ruthiella How cool. You were clearly a baby bookworm! 1y
Soubhiville That‘s perfect! If you‘re keeping any of it, that‘s the one! 1y
MaureenMc 👏👏😁 1y
Tamra Awesome! 1y
dabbe 🖤🤍🖤 1y
66 likes5 comments
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Kshakal
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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I used have both of these items!! #nostalgia #magicalmay @Eggs

AmyG I atill have my ipod classic! Oh, I remember this. 🤣 4y
rubyslippersreads I had a pink flip phone like that. 😊 4y
Eggs Yes that is nostalgic 📱 🎶 📷 4y
36 likes3 comments
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huntersmom1977
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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1. English & Art
2. Math & Phys Ed
3. Book Club!!!
4. Marauders

#helloThursday

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MrBook
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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One of the best film scenes ever!!!! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Brings a tear to my eye.

Lidia I love that scene! It's pure joy ❤️ 6y
Liatrek One of my all time favorite movies! I wish they had the score for this movie❤️ 6y
Andrea4 😍 6y
GripLitGrl Agreed👍❤ 6y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Love this scene. But I can‘t eat pickled baby corn without thinking of Hanks eating it like regular size corn on the cob. 😎 6y
115 likes5 comments
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MrBook
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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@BookBabe & I and some library colleagues, including @leeloo13 , are about to watch the 30th Anniversary of "Big" on the big screen ???????! One of my favorite childhood movies ☺️! Anyone else love this movie?

(We need this after the day we had today! ???)

tournevis I saw this is the theaters back in the day too. 6y
bookish.escape That‘s AWESOME!!!!!!! I have watched that movie so many times. One of my favorites, watched it a lot growing up. How cool you get to watch it on the big screen! Enjoy! 6y
AmyG Great movie! 🎹 6y
ScientistSam And what is up with today? Everyone I've talked to is having a bad and/or crazy day! Hope the movie brightens yours and @BookBabe's! 6y
121 likes4 comments
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kendrastephaniekaryn
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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#jubilantjuly #startswithMNO

A selection of books from my Kobo TBR!

@RealLifeReading

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NerdyRev
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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In honor of Canada Day, I am catching up via YouTube to this year's Canada Reads. While I wasn't thrilled with the winning book, I did enjoy 4 of them. I still have to read The Break. I think I liked Nostalgia the most, but thought everyone should read The Right to Be Cold. It was kind of unfair to put a non fic. up against 4 fic picks

BookHermit The Break is excellent. I was so sad that it was voted off first. 7y
NerdyRev @BookHermit I just started it. It moves so quickly and is beautifully written. I saw the dilemma though- do you vote off the book you are defending or the one you loved? Tough choice. 7y
BookHermit No choice at all, really. Chantal couldn't very well vote against her own book. Great radio drama but I felt tense for all the panellists. 7y
22 likes3 comments
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GFB
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

A science-fiction novel that takes place in a future where you can be immortal or be yourself, but not both. There were few surprises in this, but it was a pleasure. #canadareads #japanknits #ghanadecoupages #usahasoneofthosefidgetcubesyouknowcuztheymadtense

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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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How can you trust yourself when you've paid to forget who you are #unreliablenarrator #Maybookflowers

67 likes1 stack add
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Jilljemmett
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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#aprilbookstagram Thought provoking. What if we could delete our bad memories and replace them with a new life?

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melissajayne
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Like the opening paragraph.

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melissajayne
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Starting this one. On some sort of reading binge lately; training for #24hourreadathon, I suppose. Mostly just want to get books off the TBR and reach my 50 book goal for the year.

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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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I'm really into this book and wish it had lasted longer in the #CanadaReads competition. I'd have loved to hear more debate about it - especially the theme of privilege vs. survival

TheWordJar This sounds fascinating! Kind of reminds me of Westworld. 8y
LeahBergen #CanadaReads was so much fun to watch this year. ❤ 8y
44 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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No, kids, I don't know why you don't have any clean clothes either...

Libby1 😻😻😻 8y
KarenUK Such a sweet face 💕 8y
8little_paws That baby loves you 😊 8y
See All 7 Comments
rubyslippersreads 😹😹😹 8y
britt_brooke 💚💚💚 8y
DGRachel 😻😻😻 8y
LeahBergen 😂😂 8y
67 likes7 comments
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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Too rainy to go out for snacks #raincouver

51 likes1 comment
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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Canada Reads Day One!!! I've read two so far (The Break and Fifteen Dogs). I'd love to see The Break go far, but am concerned that it's dark subject matter will cause it to be voted out early. My money is on Fifteen Dogs #CanadaReads

lisakoby I read Fifteen Dogs and loved it. 8y
55 likes1 comment
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Miss_Kim
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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My latest win from Goodreads arrived just now! Can't wait to read this one!

3 likes1 stack add
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NerdyRev
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

This is up for one of the Canada Reads selections and being in the States, I had to order it from Amazon.ca. If you are going to read it, know that in its 258 pages, there is a whole lot of story going on that reads almost in a dreamlike fashion. I really disliked how dialog was written, but it didn't detract too much. This is a strange little book, but good once you get down every storyline and see how they connect. Trippy and deep.

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BookHermit
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

Though the premise was intriguing and the writing wonderful, Nostalgia left me somewhat dissatisfied. The central technological "gimmick" irked me a bit. There is much, much more to unpack within its themes and explorations. A great choice for #CanadaReads, though, and I look forward to the debates on #CBCRadio next week. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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BookHermit
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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I see what you did there, M.G. #cbcradio #canadareads

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BookHermit
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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LoveToReid
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Alternating between reading and knitting.

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reneelyons
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Mehso-so

Nostalgia takes place in a future that doesn‘t feel too far off. In this world, human bodies don‘t die but, rather, are rejuvenated. Old memories are wiped away and replaced with new, exclusively happy, ones, and the body is refreshed. When life gets difficult and the baggage is too much, you simply request that your new life begin.

Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2017/03/12/book-review-canada-reads-3-nost...

28 likes2 stack adds
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BookishTrish
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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An unexpected gift

Bibliogeekery Ooo I want to read that one! 8y
dixi_e I just finished it. I enjoyed it way more than I first thought I would. I kept thinking of 1984 as I read. Enjoy! 8y
54 likes2 comments
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dixi_e
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

Turns out, I did like this. It had me thinking of 1984 the entire time. Frank reminded me of Winston, a man living within the law/society but also viewing it from the outside. AND like 1984, Nostalgia asks questions in a future that are essential to today: Is the terrorist "Other" worth saving? What is the impact of the 24hr news cycle where news is always "Breaking"? How do we make room for young adults to survive AND thrive? ⬇️

dixi_e Vassanji looks at the roles of religion, family, science and consequences in creating our societies and personal lives. He examines the false construct of borders (here, it is the Long Border) and how that defines those living in either side. 8y
dixi_e This is a fluid read, thought provoking and worth the time to not just read but also contemplate. 8y
7 likes2 comments
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dixi_e
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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3/5 #CanadaReads books. Just starting this one. Intrigued by the idea of it (physical bodies that last forever - it seems - and minds that get new memories so as. It to overwhelm the person) but. It sure I'm going to like it.... but I do like the parallels with our own society so far, namely the online profiles (these are mandated by the government) and obsession with the news (guilty!). And of course there is a popular, provocative pundit.

6 likes1 stack add
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Shay
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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With the arrival of Nostalgia, the gang's all here for #CanadaReads 2017!

4 likes1 stack add
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reneelyons
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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I'm enjoying this one way more than I though I would! A futuristic, sci-fi story where people do not die - life is simply reengineered, rejuvenated, unrelenting...CBC Books is killing it with their Canada Reads selections this year!

gibblr Love that cover 8y
reneelyons @gibblr It's gorgeous in person! The title is foiled, so pretty! 8y
Melissa_J I thought this one was non-fiction. Oops. Sounds really intriguing. 8y
33 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Jilljemmett
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

This is the 3rd book I've finished for #CanadaReads and it did not disappoint. It's set in the future, where you can live forever by trading your memories for new ones, becoming a new person. It was fascinating! And had a great mysterious plot.

10 likes1 stack add
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amckiereads
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

This Canada Reads contender ended up on a fine line between Pick and So-So, but I decided to round up. Interesting look and memory, family and relationships, power, and privilege. (Warning: one kitten was rudely awakened to take this picture.)

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Jazzper2
Nostalgia | M.G. Vassanji
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Pickpick

Would you want to live forever? In this book you can, except you won't remember it. And if you do you have to see a specialist to cure your "nostalgia." In this society if a person becomes dissatisfied they can start over by having their memories erased and new ones uploaded, and the cycle can continue endlessly with the body being constantly altered to prolong its continuance. The book follows Dr. Frank and his patient Presley Smith.