A review by serendipitysbooks
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

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

4.0

 
Memphis is a multigenerational family saga centred on a Black southern family, especially on sisters Miriam and August, their mother Hazel, and Miriam’s daughter Joan. It features a non-linear timeline and multiple points of view but is never confusing. I think it beautifully highlighted the strength, power and resilience of Black women as well as Black sisterhood, both literally and more broadly. This is a book that features a lot of pain, trauma and loss - plenty of trigger warnings especially for child sexual abuse, domestic abuse and racial violence- but there is also joy, laughter, love, support, understanding and hope.

“The framed record covers on the walls shook with laughter. Laughter that was, in and of itself, Black. Laughter that could break glass. Laughter that could uplift a family. A cacophony of Black female joy in a language private to them.” 
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