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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I enjoyed reading about both characters in this. However, it was a bit more graphic than I was expecting and I didn't care for that much. I finished this up quickly because the story of these two men and then figuring themselves out was interesting.
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Memorial is a book about two individuals who have past traumas that affects their relationship with their peers/family/friends and each other. Both individuals through the story go through complex and complicated points in their life where they have to confront the very thing that set them back and influenced their toxic relationship. Does the relationship survive? Well, yes? Maybe? Hopefully, no.
Why you should read it: It's a genuinely good read. It's enjoyable and makes you think pretty critically about the choices each character makes. The way the author dives deep into each character is extraordinary and left me disappointed once the story was over because I just wanted to see where they'd end up later in life, ya know. Every side character has a life outside the main characters and the main characters develop with, around, and away from each other. You can see the growth. The main story throughout their interpersonal journeys is compelling, complex and intricate in how the characters think and approach their situations. These characters could remind you of people you probably personally know. I think anyone who is willing to read a very realistic fiction with moments of passion and intimacy (not necessarily sexual), would enjoy this book.
Why you may put it down: The story lacks resolution in (one of) the most important parts behind the story. How am I supposed to feel at the end when it seems like the characters never really had a moment to recollect on their personal journeys together, explore wat they just learned, etc. This doesn't make me have hope, it makes me feel the exact same thing I felt before the story decided to kick off. I kept thinking "What about this?" "What about that?" "Will they finally say/do/mention the things that needs to be mentioned...no? Darn." Maybe the author wanted you to feel like their world was bigger at the end with more options than what we were presented? It still felt like they were constricted to each other and their circumstances once more characters became involved all of a sudden to give their blessings to our main characters. Towards the end it felt like the rest of the story was just gunning it towards the end.
Should you read this book? Yes. I don't really reflect on the ending as much as I do the middle of the story, which was IMO, the best part. I don't want people to feel like the ending should scare you away because I was still upset when it ended despite my need to get more of my questions answered. It's a great book despite my harsh judgments. I think many people will enjoy this book.
Why you should read it: It's a genuinely good read. It's enjoyable and makes you think pretty critically about the choices each character makes. The way the author dives deep into each character is extraordinary and left me disappointed once the story was over because I just wanted to see where they'd end up later in life, ya know. Every side character has a life outside the main characters and the main characters develop with, around, and away from each other. You can see the growth. The main story throughout their interpersonal journeys is compelling, complex and intricate in how the characters think and approach their situations. These characters could remind you of people you probably personally know. I think anyone who is willing to read a very realistic fiction with moments of passion and intimacy (not necessarily sexual), would enjoy this book.
Why you may put it down: The story lacks resolution in (one of) the most important parts behind the story. How am I supposed to feel at the end when it seems like the characters never really had a moment to recollect on their personal journeys together, explore wat they just learned, etc. This doesn't make me have hope, it makes me feel the exact same thing I felt before the story decided to kick off. I kept thinking "What about this?" "What about that?" "Will they finally say/do/mention the things that needs to be mentioned...no? Darn." Maybe the author wanted you to feel like their world was bigger at the end with more options than what we were presented? It still felt like they were constricted to each other and their circumstances once more characters became involved all of a sudden to give their blessings to our main characters. Towards the end it felt like the rest of the story was just gunning it towards the end.
Should you read this book? Yes. I don't really reflect on the ending as much as I do the middle of the story, which was IMO, the best part. I don't want people to feel like the ending should scare you away because I was still upset when it ended despite my need to get more of my questions answered. It's a great book despite my harsh judgments. I think many people will enjoy this book.
I wasn't sure Memorial was going to come together. The beginning was scattered and seemed too kaleidoscopic, the characters too disjointed and the storytelling style too jerky. The book begins from Benson's perspective, and his detached character voice comes across as cold and bland of a narrator. I almost put the whole book down.
I'm glad I hung in there, once Mike takes the wheel as the narrator the story picks right up. The challenges of chasing down a father in a foreign country who abandoned his wife and son in Houston, is dying but also running a bar, won't talk about his health, is definitely an asshole...it's surprisingly compelling! I appreciated the ambiguity, both of Mike's relationship with his dad and their Japanese customers, but also in the larger sense of the book. The ending is as beautiful in its uncertainty as it is in finality.
Would reccommend!
I'm glad I hung in there, once Mike takes the wheel as the narrator the story picks right up. The challenges of chasing down a father in a foreign country who abandoned his wife and son in Houston, is dying but also running a bar, won't talk about his health, is definitely an asshole...it's surprisingly compelling! I appreciated the ambiguity, both of Mike's relationship with his dad and their Japanese customers, but also in the larger sense of the book. The ending is as beautiful in its uncertainty as it is in finality.
Would reccommend!
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had high hopes for this book; I’d heard the author interviewed on NPR, and the premise of the book sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the interview was much more interesting than the book.
This just wasn’t for me. I didn’t appreciate the writing style, which prevented me from feeling much of anything for the characters or engaging with the plot. Apparently some other readers really like this style, so if any of my friends want to read it, let me know. This was my BOTM selection, so I own it.
This just wasn’t for me. I didn’t appreciate the writing style, which prevented me from feeling much of anything for the characters or engaging with the plot. Apparently some other readers really like this style, so if any of my friends want to read it, let me know. This was my BOTM selection, so I own it.
I really enjoyed this book. You just fell into it and felt as though you were entirely immersed in it.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes