Reviews with content warning for Violence - Memphis

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

64 reviews

sargasso_c's review against another edition

Well written, however, a book predominantly about Black women suffering at the hands of Black men is nothing I’m interested in reading about in my free time. I hope that those who need this book, find it.

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lela's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

Really incredible book. Stringfellow touched on so much in this book, with sisterhood, family/maternal lineage and history, and an examination of artistic gifts and who has the privilege to explore and hone them at the forefront.
The writing is beautiful and often heartbreaking, she was so successful in the use of a nonlinear structure that never felt confusing or awkward. The cast of fully fleshed-out women was a treasure to read about.

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clotalksbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

Powerhouse of a book. A lyrical masterpiece.

Tragedy and beauty sit side by side. I've rarely read something that is in one breath harrowing and the next bringing me joy. If you were to simplify what this plot is about, I'm going to be honest and say I would have read with trepidation. I know this world is atrocious. But this book is magic in that it shows you also the love in this world.

I truly cared about this family, through all the generations. The sibling relationships were a particular favourite, though I admit I'm a bit jealous.

A terrific debut, and I will eagerly read everything by this author.

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laure_frompariswithbooks's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

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marionrosa's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

4.0

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louise010's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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yllenia's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

We follow the story of a Southern black family, as told by its three generations of women.

The book is written in a multiple POV style - which I love. Each of the chapters is set in a different year and is narrated by a different character.

Violence is prevalent in “Memphis”, from racial to domestic. However it was the lyrical prose of Tara M. Stringfellow that did not let it settle and in this way made it less triggering for me.

I feel that through this book I was able to learn and understand parts of modern American history I am not familiar with. And the fact I was able to do that just by following one family through the years is astonishing to me. Indicative of Stringfellow’s talent.

Definitely recommend this book!

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