Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

176 reviews

caseyjnovak's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

The characters are incredibly vivid, but the last two paragraphs kept it from rating higher for me. So many topics, so much trauma, so well intertwined. I enjoyed the format, though I did have to go back a few times to verify the different timelines. Will definitely look for more by this author!
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knitswhilereading's review

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challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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bintou's review against another edition

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

4.0

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sofxaim's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book. It was easy to get invested into the story and its characters. I saw a little bit of my family in the generational patterns seen in this story. 

I think the jumping back and forth between years made it just a tad hard to follow along with the story, but at the same time I appreciated the flashbacks and the present as well. Like some of the other reviews said, I wish it was longer and that we could have seen a little bit more of My.
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atalea's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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jazful's review against another edition

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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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sandysmith's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It's an interesting intergenerational story of a family of black women spanning historical moments in US black history. Going from the 1940s to the 2000s, and told from 4 points of view. Beautifully written but at times confusing as sometimes it was difficult to know which person was narrating, as all timelines used the same terminology eg mother daughter sister. Hazel having the perfect black love and living through segregation, her daughters August and Miriam in the Dr King and Malcolm X era, and their children Derek, Joan, and Mia. Mia is the only woman's voice not heard, which is a shame. Loads of trigger warnings include racism, rape, domestic violence, gang warfare, gun violence, police brutality, to name a few. So it's more of a 3.75 stars, so I settled on a 4. A debut worth reading, beautiful if a tad confusing.  
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yellowfleeces's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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paris_nicole's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense 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? No

4.75

I really enjoyed this book. Is it written in multiple POVs (all females from three generations of the same family), in multiple timelines. The book addresses inter-familial trauma, while simultaneously acknowledging the racial history of this country and the atrocities faced by Black people. The story also celebrates the beauty of the Black community, specifically Black women, and their ability to hold the weight of the world on their shoulders.
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lweezthereadrat's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Beautifully written prose that picks up generations of sorrow within the North family with a supreme tenderness that allows space for that horror alongside hope. I would flag that on page 8 there's an intimation of a very upsetting instance- whilst this isn't shown in the moment in detail, this instance is an inciting action for multiple plot points and it will be brought up multiple times. It makes for a painful read but the solidarity and sisterhood within this novel is also bolstering.
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