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  • Today, “Memphis” by Tara M. Stringfellow published on January 11, 2023 by Éditions Charleston.

Cécile "SeriaLectrice", bookstagramer and contributor to the 20 Minutes Books reading group, recommends "Memphis" by Tara M. Stringfellow, published on January 11, 2023 by Éditions Charleston.

His favorite quote:

This low house was a cat napping in the shade of the plum trees, the complete opposite of the two-story Victorian fortress we had just left.

[…] A long driveway crossed the entire garden, divided in two by a double-leaf gate.

But what made the house breathe, what gave it its lungs, was the veranda at the foot of its facade.

A broad stone staircase led to this gallery carpeted with ivy, honeysuckle and morning glory.

Why this book?

  • Because

    Memphis

    depicts the daily life of blacks in the United States

    , in poor neighborhoods where violence reigns, but not only.

    Between segregation, oppression, it is also a novel that brings a beautiful touch of hope.

    The women who make up the characters bear the brunt of the hardships but get up stronger each time.

    They are incredibly resilient despite the hardships they face.

    Because it is in adversity that we recognize great women.

    The bonds that unite them, these sisters, mothers or aunts, are very touching.

  • Because

    Memphis

    is a family fresco that spans

    three generations, from the 1960s to 2000. A fresco in which we first follow Hazel's life and her love for Myron, who left too soon.

    Then that of Miriam and August, her daughters.

    And finally, Mya and Joan.

  • Because Tara M. Stringfellow's pen is magnificent,

    soft and poetic.

    And despite flashbacks during which the characters get lost in their thoughts, the story with double or even triple temporality brings depth to the story and makes it possible to visualize the strength of these women.

The essentials in 2 minutes

The plot.

Miriam, Joan's mother, flees her violent husband and comes to live with her sister August and her nephew Derek.

A difficult choice for Miriam given that Joan experienced trauma there when she was only three years old.

Characters.

Joan, artist in the making, his sister Mya.

Miriam his mother as well as his aunt August and his cousin Derek.

Finally, Hazel and Myron, his grandparents.

Places.

Memphis, Tennessee.

The time.

From the 1960s to 2000.

The author.

Tara M. Stringfellow is a poet, former lawyer, originally from Memphis.

This book was read with

outrage at the atrocities the black community had to endure.

I will never understand what made men hate a skin color so much.

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