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A review by nordstina
Memorial by Bryan Washington
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bryan Washington continues his stellar work with his debut novel Memorial. I had thoroughly enjoyed his short story collection Lot, and had been eagerly anticipating his next work and he did not disappoint.
Memorial charts the relationship between Benson, a black daycare worker and Mike, an Asian-American chef. The book begins with their relationship the precipice of dissolution (of course they are not communicating that to one another though), when Mike finds out his estranged father is dying in Japan, and he leaves to spend time with him. Complicating factors further, Mike's mother Mitsuko, is en route to visit Mike, and is is decided that she will stay in Mike and Benson's one-bedroom apartment while Mike is in Japan.
The book is split into sections where each of the men are the narrator. While I enjoy this style, it always is a bit of a transition for the reader. I was throughly invested in Benson's life at work and at home with Mitsuko as they circled around one another, to only be transported to Japan to investigate Mike's relationship with his father. In the end, both narrations are rewarding. Themes of family, love, and devotion run throughout. The changing relationships we have as adults to our parents was well-reflected. We witness gesture of love without the word being spoken. Washington leaves the reader with a lot to chew on, and tears to wipe away. He is a very special writer.
Memorial charts the relationship between Benson, a black daycare worker and Mike, an Asian-American chef. The book begins with their relationship the precipice of dissolution (of course they are not communicating that to one another though), when Mike finds out his estranged father is dying in Japan, and he leaves to spend time with him. Complicating factors further, Mike's mother Mitsuko, is en route to visit Mike, and is is decided that she will stay in Mike and Benson's one-bedroom apartment while Mike is in Japan.
The book is split into sections where each of the men are the narrator. While I enjoy this style, it always is a bit of a transition for the reader. I was throughly invested in Benson's life at work and at home with Mitsuko as they circled around one another, to only be transported to Japan to investigate Mike's relationship with his father. In the end, both narrations are rewarding. Themes of family, love, and devotion run throughout. The changing relationships we have as adults to our parents was well-reflected. We witness gesture of love without the word being spoken. Washington leaves the reader with a lot to chew on, and tears to wipe away. He is a very special writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse