The Leaving

Memory may be one of the least understood of the brain’s neurological functions, and as a result, garners much attention in science and medicine. For example, as mentioned in “,” researchers have found that a surprising number of long-term “memories” are actually fabricated, at least partially; the human brain tends to “fill in the blanks” of a distant memory, building a recollection that feels complete but is not entirely trustworthy (LaRosa, Sarah Spivack. “Cedars-Sinai Experts Discuss the Mysteries of Memory.” Cedars-Sinai, 11 Sep. 2024). Conditions related to memory are the subjects of countless volumes of research; forgetfulness, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease have significant effects on patients and their families. Additionally, scientific and medical communities strive to assist those who experience post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma memory, and amnesia.

The continuing importance of this topic is often explored in fiction, where memory serves as a characterization method or a plot conflict. For example, in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant and Debra Dean’s The Madonnas of Leningrad, memory loss is a significant obstacle for protagonists. Memory is a popular nonfiction topic, inspiring works like Joshua Foer’s