1

I am looking for a science fiction novel featuring a person who has had his memories erased and the orders for some task implanted in his mind.

The idea that intrigued me most was that this person's mind was being erased and newly reprogrammed after each assignment.

I thought it was by Peter F. Hamilton, but cannot identify the book by the descriptions I find online. Maybe it was written by a different author. I'm pretty sure it was published within the past five or so years.

Improve this question
10
  • 3
    The description rather resembles Haldemans "All my sins remembered", but that is a lot older (from 1978).
    – Eike Pierstorff
    Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 11:53
  • 1
    Sounds a little like the idea behind the TV series Dollhouse but the setting is different.
    – Liath
    Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 12:07
  • 4
    It's not an uncommon trope, really -- You'll also see it in Chalker's 'Midnight at the Well of Souls' in the character of Vardia Diplo 1261. In her case, she was reset after each mission and never knew that each wasn't her first.
    – K-H-W
    Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 14:39
  • 2
    @KHW - Also the "Vals" in Chalker's Rings of the Masters, but they were robots specifically designed for it. And the main character(s?) in his The Four Lords of the Diamond series. He liked that trope.
    – Bobson
    Commented Aug 8, 2014 at 18:36
  • 1
    The first book of Hamilton's Void trilogy, The Dreaming Void, features Aaron. In the beginning of the book he has no memory of who he is, all he knows is that he has a mission and was hired by somebody. As his story opens he becomes an intriguing cog in the machine. Maybe this is what you're looking for?
    – Kristof Claes
    Commented Aug 27, 2014 at 9:24

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

The first book of Hamilton's Void trilogy, The Dreaming Void, features Aaron. In the beginning of the book he has no memory of who he is, all he knows is that he has a mission and was hired by somebody. As his story opens he becomes an intriguing cog in the machine.

Maybe this is what you're looking for?

Improve this answer
1
  • Thank you, that's the one. I thought it was Hamilton, but the synopses of his books that I looked at (Wikipedia or Amazon) did not elaborate this aspect and I did not recognize the book. Now that you mention the character's name and role, I can find more detailed descriptions online and remember that it was this book I read. Thank you for helping me!
    – user30564
    Commented Aug 27, 2014 at 18:49
2

Sounds like Paycheck, by Philip K. Dick

The terms of the contract state that he will work for two years on a secret project after which he will have his memory of the time erased and will be paid an inordinate sum.

It was made into a movie with Ben Affleck in 2003

Improve this answer
2
  • As I stated in my question the book I am looking for was published within the last five or so years. I don't see how any work by Dick qualifies. -1 for not replying to the question I asked. +1 for taking the time and making an effort to help me.
    – user30564
    Commented Aug 11, 2014 at 6:35
  • 1
    yes, I realize that Paycheck is much older than 5 years, but I've found that sometimes people think that a reprint/new edition print date is an original publication date, especially if they aren't otherwise familiar with the author.
    – kaufman
    Commented Aug 18, 2014 at 14:33