Reviews

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

fed's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-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? It's complicated

3.0


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sandybeach100's review against another edition

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Audiobook

bookswithkellie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

tiffisbooked's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

4.0

Maybe 4.5 stars. I may revisit this rating.

Memphis tells the story of three generations of the North family: Hazel, Miriam/August and Joan/Mya. We get firsthand accounts from everyone except Mya and I wonder if that was a purposeful stylistic choice by the author because I had questions for little sis! The men in and associated with the North family do not fare well, as they are plagued with tragedy or shortcomings. Though Hazel, Miriam and Joan face trauma and unexpected losses, they persevere and do their best to overcome. 

If you're a lover of multi-generational family stories like I am, then Memphis is worth the read.

lucy_evans's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

tayjaye's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense 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? No

4.0

katewhite77's review against another edition

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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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teresa42's review against another edition

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5.0

A multi layered and captivating story with wonderful writing.

sydney_arcuri's review against another edition

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4.0

I am starting to enjoy multi-generational stories and this book really helped to increase my interest because I really liked how it was presented.
Some minor pacing issues but other than that it was really good.

kleonard's review against another edition

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1.0

I didn't like this book. It's ultimately about forgiveness and the bonds of family, but I have never held to the idea that blood is thicker than water, and nothing the author wrote helped change my mind on that. I can't understand why a mother would so willingly put her children in danger of repeated rape after one had already been raped. The writing was fine, but not especially interesting or compelling, and I found myself alternately appalled at and bored by the book.