Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Memorial by Bryan Washington

94 reviews

nana_sillylilbooks's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer and Death of parent

markbos's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

amazingbeautifulamazingamazing. Bryan Washington is phenomenal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

remie's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment

djreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction and Death of parent

cheye13's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a five star read right up until the end. I'm not usually picky about endings, but this one ultimately left me wondering about the purpose of the story. Which was probably the purpose of said ending! But still irks me.

Beautiful writing, engaging and deep characters. Would not be opposed to a reread – maybe bc I read it in audio, some details went over my head that would've made the ending land better.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Sexual content, and Abandonment

Minor: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol

tinana's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

areadingstan's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

4.0

I thought this was a very calming read, and it felt very realistic for a contemporary novel, not trying to be anything it wasn’t but a story of a couple figuring out their issues and dealing with other problems in their life. 

My favourite character was definitely Mitsuko, she was a very motherly mother, and well-written. 

I got through Benson’s passages very quickly because of the short chapters but I liked how Mike’s chapters were structured differently, it really made me feel as if I was hearing it from their separate perspectives and it allowed me to see things from both sides. 

I’ll definitely be reading more of Washington’s work. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent

gladiolus17's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

Awesome book with stylistic prose. Both main characters are flawed, yet lovable, and there’s a ton of funny interactions with other characters in the book. I cried at the end.

I’d recommend this book if you want to read a story about two people finding their way in life. 

Some specific things I liked:

-Getting lost on the trains in Japan is a mood. 
-I liked the line “fuck around with” the rear view mirror. Great verb. 
-Great descriptions of food, and parallels with cooking and getting to know Mitsuko.

One thing that took me out of the story is that Japan doesn’t have a tipping culture, so Mike’s dad threatening to take the money out of the Kunihiko’s tips wouldn’t be possible. This wasn’t enough to make me dissatisfied with the story as a whole, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Minor: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Racism

kasey__'s review against another edition

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Homophobia, and Death of parent

gabbygarcia's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Grief

Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail