Memory of Water
12 journalers for this copy...
HarperVoyager 2014. 263 pp.
Nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2015
This is the debut novel of the young Finnish writer. It is written by her both in Finnish and in English, and was first published in Finnish as Teemestarin kirja ("The Tea Master's Book").
It is a dystopia located in far future where the Scandinavian Union is occupied by soldiers. Much of the former civilization and knowledge has disappeared, and water sources are scanty and precious. Seventeen-year old Noria studies to be a traditional tea master like her father. Her mother has chosen a scientist's career and left for the far-off university.
I liked the book a lot. The themes are important, and the style is beautiful. The contrast between the serene text and the scary world described is unique.
-ruzena
Bookray:
Usual rules apply:
* make a JE after receiving the book
* read it in a month
* send it on to the person after you
Participants: (please check the order before sending)
Lubiette (Greece; posting in Europe)
Blue_berry (UK; Europe)
Sparkish (UK; Europe/intl)
Arvores (Portugal; pref. Europe)
Jotka (Germany; any)
Tsjara (NL; any)
catsalive (AU; any)
book-a-neer (AU; pref. AU or NZ)
Edwardstreet (AU; pref. AU or NZ; int'l if needed)
Olivia_Lo (Taiwan; any)
Dani75 (Germany; any) < --- here it stays
BookBirds (US somewhere; US only)
azuki (US Florida)
Thank you all for partaking and opinions!
EDIT. 25.5.2017: Dani75 (Germany) is "looking forward to reading it" since Feb. 2016 and not responding to my PM's
Nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2015
This is the debut novel of the young Finnish writer. It is written by her both in Finnish and in English, and was first published in Finnish as Teemestarin kirja ("The Tea Master's Book").
It is a dystopia located in far future where the Scandinavian Union is occupied by soldiers. Much of the former civilization and knowledge has disappeared, and water sources are scanty and precious. Seventeen-year old Noria studies to be a traditional tea master like her father. Her mother has chosen a scientist's career and left for the far-off university.
I liked the book a lot. The themes are important, and the style is beautiful. The contrast between the serene text and the scary world described is unique.
-ruzena
Bookray:
Usual rules apply:
* make a JE after receiving the book
* read it in a month
* send it on to the person after you
Participants: (please check the order before sending)
Lubiette (Greece; posting in Europe)
Blue_berry (UK; Europe)
Sparkish (UK; Europe/intl)
Arvores (Portugal; pref. Europe)
Jotka (Germany; any)
Tsjara (NL; any)
catsalive (AU; any)
book-a-neer (AU; pref. AU or NZ)
Edwardstreet (AU; pref. AU or NZ; int'l if needed)
Olivia_Lo (Taiwan; any)
Dani75 (Germany; any) < --- here it stays
BookBirds (US somewhere; US only)
azuki (US Florida)
Thank you all for partaking and opinions!
EDIT. 25.5.2017: Dani75 (Germany) is "looking forward to reading it" since Feb. 2016 and not responding to my PM's
Journal Entry 2 by 
ruzena
at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 15, 2014
ruzena at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (7/15/2014 UTC) at bookray/bookring, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book ray started. Happy reading, Lubiette!
Book received today with nice postcard and stamps, thank you.
A book about choices, power of ritual and secret in a water-starved post-apocalyptic future. Beautifully written and fascinating, it’s a worth reading story.
Ruzena, thank you so much for this ring !
Due to holidays time, the book will be shipped to Blue_Berry after the 15th of August.
Ruzena, thank you so much for this ring !
Due to holidays time, the book will be shipped to Blue_Berry after the 15th of August.
Journal Entry 5 by 
Lubiette
at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, August 18, 2014
Lubiette at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, August 18, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (8/18/2014 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
In the mail to Blue_Berry, happy reading !
Received with thanks! I have 1,5 books to finish before I can start on this one.
Journal Entry 7 by Blue_berry at Croydon, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, September 8, 2014
This was an interesting and beautifully written novel describing a world in a dystopic future where little is left as we know it. The narrator, Noria is determined to practice the profession of her father and ancestors as traditional tea master but she will be faced with hard choices.
Journal Entry 8 by Blue_berry at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, September 8, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (9/8/2014 UTC) at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to next reader in the BR, enjoy!
Journal Entry 9 by 
Sparkish
at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Sparkish at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Thank you for sending this one on Blue_berry. I have been on holiday so sorry if there has been a delay in journaling. I have another Bookray book to finish reading before this, but will get on with this as soon as possible, there shouldn't be too much of a delay :-)
Journal Entry 10 by Sparkish at Fleckney, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Sparkish at Fleckney, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 21, 2014
I found this book hard going in the first place, but was pleased I stuck with it. Will be on its way to Arvores as soon as I have the address.
Journal Entry 11 by Sparkish at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, October 24, 2014
Sparkish at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, October 24, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (10/24/2014 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Arvores :-)
Journal Entry 12 by Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Tuesday, November 4, 2014
It has arrived today. I can't wait to start reading it!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Journal Entry 13 by Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Reading the last chapters and PMing the next reader for address.
SO sorry for the delay. Life messed up.
Will comment on the book, soon.
SO sorry for the delay. Life messed up.
Will comment on the book, soon.
Journal Entry 14 by Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Friday, January 9, 2015
Arvores at Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo Portugal on Friday, January 9, 2015
I always thought that there's something similar between the Finnish and the Japanese culture. In some way, this book confirms what I feel.
And I always thought that, if there's a major conflict to take place it will be because of shortness of water. The author brings this threat to light.
Most of the time I wasn't able to place myself in this scenery, I couldn't sense the landscape, maybe because of the absence of green. But in several occasions the author can take us to the skin of the main character, Noria, making us travel deep into her heart and mind.
One more good book coming from my dream land.
Paljon kiitos!
I'm sorry for keeping it longer that I was supposed to. Life hasn't been so kind, lately.
It will be sent to Jotka next week.
Warm regards to all.
And I always thought that, if there's a major conflict to take place it will be because of shortness of water. The author brings this threat to light.
Most of the time I wasn't able to place myself in this scenery, I couldn't sense the landscape, maybe because of the absence of green. But in several occasions the author can take us to the skin of the main character, Noria, making us travel deep into her heart and mind.
One more good book coming from my dream land.
Paljon kiitos!
I'm sorry for keeping it longer that I was supposed to. Life hasn't been so kind, lately.
It will be sent to Jotka next week.
Warm regards to all.
Sent to Jotka.
Enjoy! :-)
Enjoy! :-)
Book is here :) Thank you for sending it and for the interesting postcard.
12.03.2015
Interesting: it's impossible to read this book fast. It took me almost two weeks. My friend who is not (yet) a bookcrosser also needed so much time. But I like it very much. It's really peaceful.
12.03.2015
Interesting: it's impossible to read this book fast. It took me almost two weeks. My friend who is not (yet) a bookcrosser also needed so much time. But I like it very much. It's really peaceful.
Today sent to Tsjara. Enjoy!
Arrived here safely. Thanks so much for sending Jotka and all the lovely goodies you included! Just finished one of the books I was reading, so I will start with this one soon.
Thanks ruzena for sharing the book. :)
Thanks ruzena for sharing the book. :)
This was also a slow read for me, especially in the beginning, but after I got more used to the style I really liked it. The writing is lovely and really adds to the atmosphere. It is an interesting (and scary) idea of the future where drinkable water is scarce and knowledge of the world before is mostly gone. The ending was not how I expected it to be, but somehow that makes me like the book even better.
Thanks for sharing the book ruzena!
It is now on its way to catsalive. Hope you will enjoy it :)
Thanks for sharing the book ruzena!
It is now on its way to catsalive. Hope you will enjoy it :)
Thanks Tsjara. I see I'm at the end of the ray, where will this book head next?
An interesting take on a post-apocalyptic world. I'm not sure whether I liked it or not. I found it quite hard work to get into, but I was determined as the book had travelled such a long way to be here. I can see that this lyrical style goes with the whole tea-ceremony theme, but it made me impatient as it drifted about, I just wanted the story. I found the language in the first few chapters quite stilted but then it improved & became easier to read. It is an interesting juxtaposition - the floating language & the stark reality of a world with severly limited water supplies.
Well, what did Noria think would happen if she started sharing water & making repeated trips to the spring? She may have been a tea-master but she wasn't very bright & didn't consider the consequences of her actions to any extent. Still, maybe her mother & Sanja will be able to accomplish something - can't let the Qianese military have it all their own way. The final sentence - This morning the world is dust and ashes, but not devoid of hope. - suggests that this may be the case, but if they just drift around like Noria, nothing much will be achieved.
I still don't know if I liked it or not. It certainly annoyed me & has lingered in my memory, so it has achieved that much.
Well, what did Noria think would happen if she started sharing water & making repeated trips to the spring? She may have been a tea-master but she wasn't very bright & didn't consider the consequences of her actions to any extent. Still, maybe her mother & Sanja will be able to accomplish something - can't let the Qianese military have it all their own way. The final sentence - This morning the world is dust and ashes, but not devoid of hope. - suggests that this may be the case, but if they just drift around like Noria, nothing much will be achieved.
I still don't know if I liked it or not. It certainly annoyed me & has lingered in my memory, so it has achieved that much.
Journal Entry 22 by 
catsalive
at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
catsalive at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (5/12/2015 UTC) at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent on to book-a-neer.
Book has arrived. Thank you.
This book fascinated me from the start and I just had to finish it quickly. Took me a total of 6 hours reading (not continuous though - I had chores in between). The premise of a world without fresh water was daunting and scary and the author described the hardship so well. I hope this isn't the future of the world.
Off to New Zealand.
Journal Entry 26 by 
Edwardstreet
at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, July 13, 2015
Edwardstreet at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, July 13, 2015
A letter box surprise.
Journal Entry 27 by Edwardstreet at —- by hand, post, or courier in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Edwardstreet at —- by hand, post, or courier in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (7/21/2015 UTC) at —- by hand, post, or courier in Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
A quick read. Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed this. Was puzzled by the Japanese influence in the barren Scandinavian world of the future where there is no water, what has happened in the past we never know, and how far in the future is this.
A reminder to take care of nature.The wars of the future will surely be about the scarcity of resources as a result of climate change which our governments are so inactive about. I believe we will soon reach a tipping point of serious impact from rising sea temperature, significant weather events and millions of people displaced by rising seas.
A reminder to take care of nature.The wars of the future will surely be about the scarcity of resources as a result of climate change which our governments are so inactive about. I believe we will soon reach a tipping point of serious impact from rising sea temperature, significant weather events and millions of people displaced by rising seas.
The book has arrived. Will start reading it asap.
Enjoy the book and don't forget to journal it so that people have an idea of where it is going :)
The book arrived here yesterday and I´m looking forward to reading it!
