logo

63 pages 2 hours read

Memphis

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Tara M. Stringfellow

Memphis

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Memphis, Tennessee • 1990s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow follows three generations of the North family, focusing on the experiences and struggles of Black women from 1937 to 2003. The narrative, presented through fragmented timelines, centers on Joan, who returns to her ancestral home in Memphis with her mother Miriam and sister Mya, escaping an abusive household. Joan nurtures her artistic talents amid family trauma, while her mother and aunt, August, also cope with challenges. Their interconnected stories explore themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams. The book contains depictions of domestic abuse, racist violence, and child sexual abuse.

Emotional

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

40,600 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow has garnered praise for its lyrical prose and deep exploration of familial bonds and resilience. Critics commend its rich character development and vivid portrayal of the city's culture. However, some note a slower narrative pace and occasional predictability. Overall, Memphis is celebrated for its emotional depth and evocative storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Memphis?

A reader who would enjoy Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow is one who appreciates multi-generational family sagas and richly woven narratives centered on African American experiences. Fans of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates would find this novel compelling.

4.3

40,600 ratings

81%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Memphis, Tennessee • 1990s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.