"Memphis" is a celebration of Black women championing Black women, told via 3 generations of one family between 1943 and 2003. Hard hitting and heart warming in equal measures, Stringfellow tackles important issues such as racism and domestic violence head on; but makes the resilience of her characters stand out above all, built on the powerful foundations of the women around them. A fabulous read - character driven and described in a way that will place you down right in the heart of Memphis. I managed to finish reading it all pretty much in one day.

What an amazing read. I cried reading it and cried that it ended. Three generations of strong black North women raise strong Black girls in Memphis where the men don't stay. August laments at one point "Men and death. Men and death. How on earth y'all run the world when all y'all have ever done is kill each other?" The story goes between each generation so you get to know why the arguments are there, what the history is and why they are fighting their own fights. From the introduction of Joan at the beginning where her Mother is driving her and her younger sister away from their Daddy, I wanted to know why Memphis, what was drawing them there and then that was all I needed to know. The strong culture and community there that knew Miriam's past, her mother Hazel and the house their Daddy built her. The history and storytelling swept me away. Small kindnesses when not expected were beautifully placed just as things seemed bad enough. It was difficult to read in places what had happened and I was so wrapped up with the women's stories the world news that struck the community raw... Some very moving writing. All through, the women with their gifts, their music, their soul just sang to me. I loved the North women and the Memphis that raised them. I hope you'll put this on your summer reading or book group list as I have plenty of moments I'd love to see talked about.

We follow three generations of Black women in Memphis, through their three respective timelines and perspectives, each of their personal thoughts and joys and worries slowly intertwining until they all come together beautifully at the end. The three are loveable, with their own quirks and internal dramas and confusions, each holds secret dreams and wishes, all set to the background of Memphis as a city. Yes, there are references to Elvis.

Memphis is like nothing I've read before. Switching narratives between the North family women. Different years, big events, differing perspectives, changing times. Love, friendship, abuse, strength, beauty. Miss Dawn was my absolute favourite character in this book.

I love multi-generational novels, especially when they centre around the women in family, so I knew I would really enjoy Memphis. The characters were complex and the plot was engaging. I was so caught up in the stories that the pages practically turned themselves! Stringfellow wove the different narratives and timelines together effortlessly. If you liked The Vanishing Half or Homegoing, then you'll love Memphis.