enigma_squeaks's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Tara M. Stringfellow said in an interview with Jenna and Hoda that she wanted to write a long, epic love poem to her hometown and the Black women who live there. MEMPHIS is that love poem and it. is. stunning. Get this book in your hands immediately.
andreaerp's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jazzy_g's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
Memphis was so beautifully written. While the book deals with a range of very heavy and emotive subjects, at its heart is the celebration of strength and resilience of Black women, family and community and this left me smiling throughout.
The protagonists - three generations of North women, a Black family living in Memphis, Tennessee - were so well developed that I felt very connected to them, their experiences, struggles, grief and triumphs and this even extended to some of the peripheral characters who did not have chapters written from their perspective.
The timeline was not linear and and spanned across multiple decades and the 3 generations which sometimes left me momentarily distracted and having to recap.
I understand this was the author's debut novel and I will be eagerly awaiting her next!
The protagonists - three generations of North women, a Black family living in Memphis, Tennessee - were so well developed that I felt very connected to them, their experiences, struggles, grief and triumphs and this even extended to some of the peripheral characters who did not have chapters written from their perspective.
The timeline was not linear and and spanned across multiple decades and the 3 generations which sometimes left me momentarily distracted and having to recap.
I understand this was the author's debut novel and I will be eagerly awaiting her next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, War, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Antisemitism and Alcohol
woodengirrll's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
rrickman33's review against another edition
4.0
So glad this was a book club pick I really really enjoyed it!!
CW: r*pe of a child, mention of lynching
CW: r*pe of a child, mention of lynching
katebirdie's review
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0