Books2Movies Club discussion

Memento mori (latin: Remember that you have to die) is a short story written by Jonathan Nolan. It was a basis for a movie directed by his brother Christopher, Memento (2000), but it was published only a year later, in Esquire Magazine. You can read it for free online and even hear it voiced by the author himself.

Now I encourage you to read it as it is quite a short story, and a compelling one according to the critics. If you have already seen it, the movie would be surely worth checking again afterwards! Those who have read the story and/or seen the movie, please share your thoughts and impressions.

Memento mori made me very reflective about the delicate nature of human life, and all the things (like memory) that we take for granted.
I really felt the protagonists confusion, their struggle with the repetitive nothingness that had become their life!

I did promise to try and get some kind of discussion going for this, this time. The film is very twisted in its design and in terms of themes about mortality, morality and so forth but the short story is interestingly thoughtful and deliberate in its consideration of the theme. I found it to be superior in that sense to the film.

Has anyone else followed much of Jonathan Nolan's work? I'm currently watching Person of Interest by him, as a tv show and I can tell he has a very thoughtful writing mind... Just an aside for consideration.

Why am I just finding out now that the movie that I love was based on a short story? I'm happy that I stumbled on this group. I'll be posting my thoughts and maybe a few discussion questions. Happy reading everyone.

Finished reading this the other day. The memory is truly a delicate thing. This story makes me wonder... is this a real thing? Can this really happen? It reminds me of 50 First Dates... I don't know how one would function with no memory.. because by the time he read all his post it notes to himself, he will lose his memory and have to start all over. I have yet to see the movie, but its bookmarked on my Netflix account!

Kasey wrote: "I don't know how one would function with no memory.. because by the time he read all his post it notes to himself, he will lose his memory and have to start all over..."

Yes, I agree, Kasey! This is a terrifying thought. The story was really convincing and made me face my own fears. I liked the humor in the instructions too. CIGARETTE? CHECK FOR LIT ONES FIRST, STUPID. It would have been really unbearable to be Earl if dead serious in every instance of his struggle.

I'm late to this discussion, tho I did read the story the same time as everyone else, having seen the movie 3 times.

My grown son has TBI due to a car accident 8 years ago, which caused him to lose short-term memory capability. It is a very hard way to live, not remembering, for instance, where to get off the bus, which he did tonite and called from his cell phone (thank god for cell phones, how did we live w/o them?) to find out how to get home. He doesnt remember things I tell him from one day to the next. I can't even tell you all the problems that this creates...

Maybe that is why Memento Mori, the movie, fascinated me. I have seen it 3 times, having found it hard to follow, and might see it again. I was surprised by the brevity of the short story, and it did not hold my interest quite as much as the film-probably bc the latter is so much more of a challenge.

Marcy wrote: "I'm late to this discussion, tho I did read the story the same time as everyone else, having seen the movie 3 times. My grown son has TBI due to a car accident 8 years ago, which caused him to..."

That's a terrible condition to live with, I am sorry to hear that. Luckily he is not alone! Love and care of the family are worth more than any gold. I hope all the tricks this new technology offers, do help him and you, to manage the problems. I wish you all the best!

Marcy wrote: "I'm late to this discussion, tho I did read the story the same time as everyone else, having seen the movie 3 times.

My grown son has TBI due to a car accident 8 years ago, which caused him to los..."

Wow, I didn't realize that this was so true to life! That has to be incredibly challenging! I imagine it's frustrating for him, too, as there are probably times he feels like he's not progressing, maybe that he can't make the life he wants for himself. It's great that he has such understanding and helpful family to be there for him!

I watched the movie several years ago, so I don't know if that affected my reading of the story, since I already knew the basic premise. The really are different though. The movie focuses on the mystery-solving and action aspects, whereas the story is more introspective and focusing on the struggles, not just of this specific individual, but the pointlessness we can find ourselves in at times. Something to ponder for more than 10 minutes, for sure!

When I was reading the story, I couldn't quite recall the movie. Even better, as Alana said, they are really different. The movie is still really good, watched it again a few days ago, but utterly depressing. Everybody took advantage of his condition, even he himself! The part that combines Sammy's tale with Leonard's is especially painful - realization that those two stories are in one important aspect actually one and only, really shook me up. At least I interpreted it that way, we won't actually know for certain, because Leonard could not be trusted with his own memories, and Teddy wasn't one of the most trustworthy characters.