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A review by emmaraeempowered
MEM by Bethany C. Morrow
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was really looking forward to reading this...but it ended up being a big disappointment.
The first 1/4 of the book I was really interested in the technology developed and was having fun imagining all this happening in 1920s Canada...but the rest of the book seemingly took a nose dive. From a sudden romance, to questionable choices, to the authors note. I felt like nothing was making any sense.
The authors note is honestly what bugged me the most. The author spoke about how racism in Canada is often omitted from books and how she wanted to write a story with Black character thriving. I had no idea these characters were supposed to be Black! I figured the main Mem "Dolores" was Black...but then some descriptions had me confused and I figured maybe she was just a tanned white woman. The authors note further says that she then omitted racism from the story so the characters didn't have to live through that...
This made me highly confused. Maybe I'm not connecting the dots...but if the point is to point out how racism in Canada is often not spoke of - then why omit it from your story all together. Doesnt that make the book fall in the long list of other books that disregard racism in Canada? Why include the authors note if you're doing the same. Also why couldn't I pick up on that all these characters were supposed to be Black?
This was disappointing.
The first 1/4 of the book I was really interested in the technology developed and was having fun imagining all this happening in 1920s Canada...but the rest of the book seemingly took a nose dive. From a sudden romance, to questionable choices, to the authors note. I felt like nothing was making any sense.
The authors note is honestly what bugged me the most. The author spoke about how racism in Canada is often omitted from books and how she wanted to write a story with Black character thriving. I had no idea these characters were supposed to be Black! I figured the main Mem "Dolores" was Black...but then some descriptions had me confused and I figured maybe she was just a tanned white woman. The authors note further says that she then omitted racism from the story so the characters didn't have to live through that...
This made me highly confused. Maybe I'm not connecting the dots...but if the point is to point out how racism in Canada is often not spoke of - then why omit it from your story all together. Doesnt that make the book fall in the long list of other books that disregard racism in Canada? Why include the authors note if you're doing the same. Also why couldn't I pick up on that all these characters were supposed to be Black?
This was disappointing.