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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I listened to this on Audible app. I think had I read it I would have gotten more out of it. Undoubtedly well written, unfortunately I found most of the domesticity tedious and the relationship between the two partners Benson and Mike difficult to understand. I did however, enjoy the interaction between each man and his family fascinating enough to keep me engaged for the duration of the book. A 2.5 read for me overall.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
At 27, Washington has transitioned from short stories (the terrific collection Lot) to a less-successful novel. Oddly, he’s brought an even more truncated style to the longer form. A never-convincing plot takes a backseat to small-moment microcosms. Mike & Benson are a mixed-race gay couple—black & Japanese—on the rocks. Mike flies to Osaka to be with his dying dad. At the same time, his mom arrives in Houston & awkwardly rooms with Ben. Some chapters are just a page, others a sentence. That’s hard to pull off without feeling underwritten or trite. At least the cooking details sizzle.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m feeling very conflicted about this book! On one hand, the prose was sparse yet profound. I don’t often read stories like this. But I also questioned what the point of the book was—the characters are fairly unlikeable and you’re left wondering if the couple at the center of the story should even be together or not. It’s not your average love story but I also kept searching for more meaning throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Jacqueline Woodson's blurb for the book sums it up: "'Memorial' is a true page-turner..." and because of the excellent writing and the very fluid narratives from both Benson and Mike, it was hard to put it down.
I found both stories very moving, and their relationship was heartbreaking but also beautiful in very ordinary ways. I loved Mitsuko and Ximena. I hated the pointless photos that were included in some chapters. A very good novel about family, loss, love, and growing.
I found both stories very moving, and their relationship was heartbreaking but also beautiful in very ordinary ways. I loved Mitsuko and Ximena. I hated the pointless photos that were included in some chapters. A very good novel about family, loss, love, and growing.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I sped through the first half but found the second half very slow and not very engaging.
Going for 5 because I really felt the pull of the writing style. It felt like the words were placed on the page in a way that felt natural to my brain, allowing me to be immersed in the story. Mike, Ben, and their people are such a normal story. Nothing fucking insane or twisty surprising happens. It’s just feels so good to watch them eat and love each other.