Memphis is the debut novel by American writer Tara Stringfellow, published in 2022. It was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize.
I always try and read as many Women’s Prize nominees as I can and Memphis appealed to me instantly.
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Plot
Memphis is a multigenerational story about a family of strong, black women from Memphis. Spanning 70 years, we follow the stories of these strong women who fight to survive through family secrets, hardships and racism.
Joan is just a child when she returns to Memphis with her mother, Miriam. Joan and Miriam are fleeing her abusive father and coming to live with her Aunt August. There is so much Joan doesn’t remember about Memphis, but what she does remember is her cousin Derek.
Joan soon realises she is not the only female in the family who has suffered at the hands of men. As family secrets start to unravel, Joan begins to learn what it means to be a black woman in Memphis.
Memphis Book Review
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fantastic debut and I was hooked from the start.
The characters were all unique and captivating in their own way. Each had their own story to tell and I was completely enthralled.
It’s hard to pick a favourite when across the generations, each female character was strong and unforgettable. However I really loved Hazel and her story broke my heart. I was also rooting for young artistic Joan. We learnt alongside Joan as she made discoveries about her own family and the hurt that has been passed down through generations.
It’s quite a hard read at times with some dark themes such as sexual and physical abuse and incest. The racism and prejudice was horrifying to read and the story was really devastating in places.
I enjoyed reading from the different perspectives and different decades. Reading from alternate points of view really gave an additional insight into the characters as we could also view them from an outside perspective.
Each woman has her own relationship with men, some good and some bad. Each story highlights the damage abuse, any kind of abuse, can have on a person’s life and those around them. It is also an exploration of what it means to be a black person, especially a black woman, in Memphis.
There was a real sense of sisterhood throughout the novel which I really enjoyed. I loved the supporting cast of characters and the support and protection they offered the family. There was a real sense of finding strength in each other amidst a world of racism, grief, and violence.
Memphis almost felt like a character in its own right. The descriptions of the history, the culture and the music brought the city to life brilliantly.
What to read next
If you enjoyed the exploration of family and the multigenerational aspect to Memphis, you may also want to read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson and People Person by Candice Carty-Williams. Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is also a brilliant read.
This book beautifully captures the essence of Memphis, bringing it to life with vivid detail. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde evokes a similar vibe, offering a captivating portrayal of Harlem throughout the decades.