A review by emmakingleberry
Memorial by Bryan Washington

5.0

This book is much much more than any one component, plot, narrative style, diverse representation, themes, but taken as a collective, this book is a stunning portrait of two individuals. The relationship between Benson and Mike is complex, seemingly destined to fail, but representative of relationships often not understood by anyone on the outside (except in this case, maybe Mitsuko). The unlikely series of events that lead Ben and Mitsuko to spending time circling the same apartment together, and the development of their relationship is magical. Mike and his father accepting the other for who they have become after nearly two decades apart is beautiful. The scenes of Mike floating through the streets of his father's neighborhood, and his father's bar, seemed dreamlike. The real magic in this book is the author's ability to capture complex emotional sentiments in clear and beautiful language. There is no fluff, but the emotional character of both Ben and Mike is developed through stories told from both perspectives. Despite their struggling relationship and near constant fights, there is no resentment and mostly love. A truly beautiful story of two men, and their two families, coming together at least for the duration of the story.