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A review by theveronicareview
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Spanning the time period between 1937 & 2003, Memphis is the story of three generations of the North family's women. Moving back & forth through past & present, Memphis depicts how, though their experiences are years apart, these women's lives are not so different. The obstacles they must face are created through similar tragedies, social or political constructs, or domestic pressures. From the eldest, Hazel, suddenly providing a hub for civil rights organizations, to her daughters Miriam & August struggling to live up to the futures they dreamt of, to Miriam's daughters Joan & Mya, still - in 2003 - trying to pull their family toward a future of happiness & success. Memphis tells of their experiences dealing with racial tensions, domestic & sexual abuse, societal obstacles that make them work twice as hard to live a comfortable life, and their use of community & personal strength to rise from the tensions and push forward. Memphis paints a vivid picture of the pain felt while living in the South as a member of the black community: the pain of giving everything they had to fight racial tensions decades ago and yet their families are still dealing with the repercussions & lack of change even today.
Memphis was a wonderful read, beautifully written & full of beautiful, strong female characters. Each woman's story was unique with the writing changing to depict their individuality - each woman with her own voice, each female experience as significant as the last. While reading, I felt the love and the hope so ardently that the disappointment was felt twice as much when the inevitable ups and downs continued. There were numerous passages that I highlighted where the description, metaphor, or revelation was written so masterfully that I read it twice or three times over to prolong the immersion that our author created.
Memphis is the story of barriers, heartbreak, pain, and their perpetual hold on a community struggling for change - a struggle that continues from generation to generation as they work to support those who can finally break the cycle.
Please note: this review is based on an advanced copy received from NetGalley and The Dial Press
Memphis was a wonderful read, beautifully written & full of beautiful, strong female characters. Each woman's story was unique with the writing changing to depict their individuality - each woman with her own voice, each female experience as significant as the last. While reading, I felt the love and the hope so ardently that the disappointment was felt twice as much when the inevitable ups and downs continued. There were numerous passages that I highlighted where the description, metaphor, or revelation was written so masterfully that I read it twice or three times over to prolong the immersion that our author created.
Memphis is the story of barriers, heartbreak, pain, and their perpetual hold on a community struggling for change - a struggle that continues from generation to generation as they work to support those who can finally break the cycle.
Please note: this review is based on an advanced copy received from NetGalley and The Dial Press