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laura_corsi's review against another edition
4.0
An ambitious novel that traces the generations of the North Family women in Memphis from the early 20th century to the early 21st. It traces the trials of black women in the depression era to WW2 and then through the Civil Rights movement and beyond to 9/11 and the gangs and violence that come to Memphis. Throughout this history, the men the North women love are killed through accident or the vagaries of racism or in war--later to the prison industrial complex and domestic violence. Thus, these women are left to carry on through it all. Beautifully written--reminds me a bit of Girl, Women and Other by Bernadine Evaristo and Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones. I will definitely look forward to Stringfellow's next novel.
carombie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
etrot28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
laurenscholle's review against another edition
5.0
what a gorgeous book — not only do I love generational family sagas but I especially love ones that make you feel like you can see the family, predict their next moves, understand their logic. this book was so descriptive and lovely. HIGHLY recommend
fkshg8465's review against another edition
4.0
Families are complex. Mental illness is complex. Morality is complex. Life is complex. Racism is not complex. The trauma of a child is not complex, but both grow in complexity throughout a family's life and that of their community. Trauma doesn't end with the victim or the victim's life. It's insidious and propagates in evil ways, subtle and overt. But the human spirit can endure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
lozzafod's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
nichughes's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful book, it was hard to put down. I could read Tara Stringfellow’s writing all day - THIS type of novel is why I love to read. You can feel the despair and hurt in your bones and you process so many difficult traumas, yet each woman had such resilience and as a whole, the North women embodied a joy that speaks deeply to the reader. My favorite read in a long while.
And that fried green tomato recipe at the end - the tomato thickness ☠️☠️☠️
And that fried green tomato recipe at the end - the tomato thickness ☠️☠️☠️
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Police brutality, and Rape
natugh's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
momomama's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0