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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just love Washington's storytelling. I don't think I would have described Memorial as a "funny, sexy dramedy" like the book description does. It's not comic nor particularly titillating, nor do I think it's really trying to be either of those; it's a quiet story of two people who have been intertwined for a long time and are not sure why they remain that way, and who both need things that have been hard to verbalize — particularly due to the complicated relations that both Mike and Ben feel to their families. There's no neat ending, but that's okay because little about their relationship is neat, and it provides hope that one day, with or without each other, each of these men could be happy. A lovely book.
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I missed the point. I’m sure it’s there somewhere, but I could not find it.. There is some nuance here related to these characters and their stories of race, and sexual identity, and generational and parental relationships. I realize there is enough going on in these layers that there is probably a stroke of brilliance, but it’s buried too deep for me to see it.
And another book with no quotation marks in the dialogue... why?
There were moments where I could appreciate the recognition of the subtle ways relationships change over time - either growing or shrinking - and how it happens without us knowing it. Maybe that’s the point?
“And how did everything come to such a turning point between us?” p. 229
“We take our memories wherever we go, and what’s left are the ones that stick around, and that’s how we make a life.” p. 248
“Everything changes, she says. Change isn’t good or bad. It’s just change. Is that supposed to cheer me up?” p. 255
“Everyone’s doing the best they can, says my mother. It’s what we have to tell ourselves.” p. 273
And another book with no quotation marks in the dialogue... why?
There were moments where I could appreciate the recognition of the subtle ways relationships change over time - either growing or shrinking - and how it happens without us knowing it. Maybe that’s the point?
“And how did everything come to such a turning point between us?” p. 229
“We take our memories wherever we go, and what’s left are the ones that stick around, and that’s how we make a life.” p. 248
“Everything changes, she says. Change isn’t good or bad. It’s just change. Is that supposed to cheer me up?” p. 255
“Everyone’s doing the best they can, says my mother. It’s what we have to tell ourselves.” p. 273
Aargghhh, I want to know what happens SO BAD. But I guess that’s the point, did they find what they need? Did they finally talk things through? Does it really matter, as long as they started to understand themselves and each other better.
I genuinely loved so much about this book, the intersection of race and queerness, the locations of Texas and Osaka, the unconventional family formats, the things unspoken to elders, the redemption needed.
Both characters are flawed in their own way, and they’ve both been fantastic and awful to each other. What they both need is to work through their own issues, and they get to do this in the unlikeliest ways.
Of course the runaway star of this book is Mitsuko, who can be short, stern but always speaks with intention and knowledge. Poor woman abandoned by her son with his boyfriend she’s never met for three months, and yet somehow she pulls through and makes the best of it.
This is a book about the baggage we take from our childhood, how that shapes our behaviours and relationships later on, and how we can learn to finally let that go. Thoroughly enjoyed and read it really fast!
However there were some structural issues, and often I didn’t know who I was rooting for - not that you have to root for anyone in particular - but that made it difficult to always fully fall in love with some of the characters. Ultimately you just want both the two mains to get to that “aha” realisation moment and they never seem to quite make it… but again, was that the point?
I genuinely loved so much about this book, the intersection of race and queerness, the locations of Texas and Osaka, the unconventional family formats, the things unspoken to elders, the redemption needed.
Both characters are flawed in their own way, and they’ve both been fantastic and awful to each other. What they both need is to work through their own issues, and they get to do this in the unlikeliest ways.
Of course the runaway star of this book is Mitsuko, who can be short, stern but always speaks with intention and knowledge. Poor woman abandoned by her son with his boyfriend she’s never met for three months, and yet somehow she pulls through and makes the best of it.
This is a book about the baggage we take from our childhood, how that shapes our behaviours and relationships later on, and how we can learn to finally let that go. Thoroughly enjoyed and read it really fast!
However there were some structural issues, and often I didn’t know who I was rooting for - not that you have to root for anyone in particular - but that made it difficult to always fully fall in love with some of the characters. Ultimately you just want both the two mains to get to that “aha” realisation moment and they never seem to quite make it… but again, was that the point?
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read a review of this book describing it perfectly encapsulates the beauty in the mundane, the meaning behind our everyday actions, and I think it perfectly sums up the feeling of this book. I feel like I could peer into the character's lives and know them in all of their truths and flaws. It reminded me of me.
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
Young authors might need a basic English course in punctuation, specifically quotation marks! Otherwise, you wonder if they are thinking, or talking, who knows!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i almost put the book down after the first chapter because the characters irked me so bad i went to bed mad. overall i did think the writing style was cool and a new way to read i found enjoyable! but i cant help but side eye the characters and sometimes that side eye extends beyond the page… mixed feelings about this. shout out to the goat ahmaud tho the realest in houston
felt this in the first chapter and felt this in the last chapter: please break up
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Fatphobia