This may be my favorite book of the year. “Memphis” by Tara Stringfellow follows a single family across generations. Every reader would be able to connect with the themes presented in the book.
Love Letter to Memphis, Tennessee
I have never been to Memphis. This book is a love letter to Memphis. Memphis has its very own rich history. It is home to the Lorraine Hotel. The Lorraine Hotel is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. I love how his death was addressed in the book. My mother told me there was a sadness across the country. You could definitely feel the grief through the pages of the book. Memphis has definitely moved up on my travel wishlist. I hope to travel to Memphis one day.
Dynamic Women
From Miriam, to Mya, to August, Joan, Hazel, and Miss Dawn, the women in this book truly showcase how multifaceted Black women are. Despite all that the women go through from sexual assault to death of a loved one to divorce, these women still exhibit grace, pride, and the willingness to pushing forward. It is easy to get discouraged when you are faced with serious trials. Yet, the women in this book persevere. It is inspiring but also leaves readers, especially Black women like myself, proud that we can make it out of anything.
Forgiveness
A subtle theme throughout the book is forgiveness. Over time, Miriam forgave Jax. Joan forgave Derek. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that you have to welcome anyone back into your life, but rather you can let it go and move forward. In these cases, it was the forgiveness in letting it go. It’s not good to harbor any resentment so there is great power in letting things go!
My Review
I truly enjoyed this book. The book is very well written. The seamless movement between the different generations of women is my favorite. There is great substance within these pages. It could really be dissected over many blog posts. I would love to see this book adapted for screen because it touches on so many cultural moments while also seeing how these women lived through them.
Go Read A Book Merch
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