Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

10 reviews

jazful's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The book "Memphis" tells an entertaining story with female characters who are likeable. Particularly impressive is the author's ability to describe the atmosphere of the South in the USA in different decades authentically and realistically. The detailed descriptions allow the reader to vividly imagine the scenery.

The plot deals with important and relevant topics such as the history of Black families in the South of the USA, segregation, police violence, racism, Black Liberation, family tragedies & crime in Memphis. But also Black love, hope, female empowerment, strength and the power of sibling love. The book is written from the perspective of women, which gives it a special importance.

But there are also a few points of criticism. Joan, who narrates in the first person, is supposed to be only 10 years old in the first few chapters, but seems far too mature and grown-up for her age. In addition, the time jumps from chapter to chapter are sometimes far too confusing.

Another important point is the lack of trigger warning. A sexual assault on a child is discussed on the very first pages. Other serious topics such as murder, loss, rape, domestic violence and racist slurs also appear, which can be very distressing for those affected.

One serious point of criticism is the author's unprofessional and childish behaviour in dealing with important reader feedback. Readers who raised critical points were dismissed by her (on Instagram) and sometimes even told that they had not understood the book. For example, almost all the male characters in the book were portrayed problematically. The author did not accept the discussion and vehemently disagreed that these characters were lovable.

It is very important to have an exchange and a critical discussion (not even really with the author, but among the readers), especially in a work that deals with so many complex and sensitive issues. I don't think I'll read another book by her if she writes another one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: War

Minor: Slavery, Blood, and Medical content

headachesince03's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Slavery, Torture, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail

lilo000's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Some beautiful description. Took me a minute to realize the connection between the two stories. Also took me a minute to  wrap my head around jumping time periods with each chapter but I got the hang of it eventually. I'm guessing the acknowledgements were narrated by the author - definitely made them that much more powerful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Abandonment, and War

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Sexism, Medical content, Murder, and Pregnancy

clairew97's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

creepycrawlybookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Medical content

my_a's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War

Moderate: Child abuse and Rape

Minor: Antisemitism

solaria's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I think the way the book handled the relationship between Joan and Derek at the end was clumsy but overall a solid read. The writing towards the end overall was very disappointing and left a lot to be desired. Despite this, it had some really engaging moments throughout, I couldn't put it down. I thought the constant switching of perspectives was interesting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Rape

Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual content and Medical content

rubl_b's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War

slimy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Abandonment

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War