What begins as an atmospheric, sci-fi thriller, rapidly descends into a boring, preachy, existential mess. The concept is that culture feeds our soul, we are able to feel purpose and empathy because of the rich culture we inherit and participate in, but the relics of our culture - and their significance - fade over time. Whether our memories of the importance of things fade naturally, or are censored by a political or omniscient force, is never addressed or answered in the book. And the protagonist makes no effort to thwart her memory loss, to try and relearn the importance of the objects and places around her. Bit by bit, she allows herself to fade, until she and her entire island fade from existence. It's a tragic fairytale, and a 100% Japanese cautionary tale. But after the halfway mark, it's not very /interesting/ to have a narrator do nothing... do nothing... and then give up on life...