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A review by sarahholliday
Memorial by Bryan Washington
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think this book is beautiful (particularly the last section), and a very compelling story at its heart.
That being said, it's also a case of "just not for me." I am big fan of inner monologue & introspective characters, and that's not what this story is focused on. This is a story of the space that's left when we don't say what we're thinking or express what we're feeling. It's a story of action & doing, not pondering.
I was prepared for this to be a solid 3-star read (in terms of my own personal taste), and then I read the final section and sort of fell in love with the book as a whole. So if you do read it, and think it isn't for you, I highly recommend sticking it out.
That being said, it's also a case of "just not for me." I am big fan of inner monologue & introspective characters, and that's not what this story is focused on. This is a story of the space that's left when we don't say what we're thinking or express what we're feeling. It's a story of action & doing, not pondering.
I was prepared for this to be a solid 3-star read (in terms of my own personal taste), and then I read the final section and sort of fell in love with the book as a whole. So if you do read it, and think it isn't for you, I highly recommend sticking it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Racial slurs