Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

66 reviews

paris_nicole's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Rape

lweezthereadrat's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Police brutality, and Rape

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

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

katewhite77's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I Really Enjoyed This Family Saga

Memphis, as the tite would maybe suggest, is the main character in this book. As there is a polyphonic cast of characters.

This is the story of three generations of females in the North family.  The story starts in  the middle in the mid-90s and makes its way back through the 60s, when there was a colour bar in place, all the way 30s. The narrative ends in 2003.

The main themes of this book are race, violence, relationships, war, nherited trauma, and grief.

This is not an easy read, so check for trigger warnings if you feel as if there are a few. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, and Racism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Police brutality, Violence, Grief, Racial slurs, and Domestic abuse

teeslooseleaf's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Racial slurs, Death, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Rape, Mental illness, and Classism

The ending may be triggering for SA survivors.

anna_rubin's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Racism, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Murder, and Gun violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Death, and Misogyny

alhelton's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Gun violence, Violence, Classism, Hate crime, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Racism, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Racial slurs

Moderate: War and Murder

mckennasmith361's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Incest, Rape, Death, Murder, Racism, and Grief

hettylo's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, War, Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Hate crime

loesm's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Hate crime, Grief, and Sexual assault