Reviews

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

carombie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

etrot28's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

laurenscholle's review against another edition

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5.0

what a gorgeous book — not only do I love generational family sagas but I especially love ones that make you feel like you can see the family, predict their next moves, understand their logic. this book was so descriptive and lovely. HIGHLY recommend

fkshg8465's review against another edition

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4.0

Families are complex. Mental illness is complex. Morality is complex. Life is complex. Racism is not complex. The trauma of a child is not complex, but both grow in complexity throughout a family's life and that of their community. Trauma doesn't end with the victim or the victim's life. It's insidious and propagates in evil ways, subtle and overt. But the human spirit can endure.
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lozzafod's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

nichughes's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful book, it was hard to put down. I could read Tara Stringfellow’s writing all day - THIS type of novel is why I love to read. You can feel the despair and hurt in your bones and you process so many difficult traumas, yet each woman had such resilience and as a whole, the North women embodied a joy that speaks deeply to the reader. My favorite read in a long while.

And that fried green tomato recipe at the end - the tomato thickness ☠️☠️☠️

lweezthereadrat's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Beautifully written prose that picks up generations of sorrow within the North family with a supreme tenderness that allows space for that horror alongside hope. I would flag that on page 8 there's an intimation of a very upsetting instance- whilst this isn't shown in the moment in detail, this instance is an inciting action for multiple plot points and it will be brought up multiple times. It makes for a painful read but the solidarity and sisterhood within this novel is also bolstering.
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natugh's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

momomama's review against another edition

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dark reflective slow-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

4.0

pmrichard1's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars probably almost 4! A generational family drama is always going to be enjoyable for me and this was great, I just wish it was longer, but really great writing for some very intense subject matter.