Book Review: Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

Three Generations of Resilience in the Heart of Memphis

Reviewed by Mariah V

Tara M. Stringfellow’s Memphis is a powerful, multi-generational saga that traces the lives of Black women across seventy years, rooted in the soul of Memphis, Tennessee. At its core, this novel is about inheritance of trauma, of resilience, of legacy and how three generations of women rediscover their past in order to reclaim their future.

The story opens in the summer of 1995, when 10-year-old Joan flees back to Memphis with her mother Miriam and younger sister Maya after another violent encounter with her father. Although they were all born in Memphis, the family has spent little time there partly due to Miriam’s marriage to a northern Marine, and partly because of a traumatic event that happened to Joan when she was just three years old.

Now back in their ancestral home in the Douglas neighborhood a once-thriving Black community Joan, her mother, and sister attempt to rebuild their lives alongside Miriam’s sister August and August’s troubled son, Derek. But the Memphis they’ve returned to is not the Memphis they remember. Gangs, poverty, and change press in, even as the strength of the community and the spirit of the women in this family begin to shine.

Through art, Joan finds a voice, a sanctuary, and eventually, a bridge to forgiveness. Her passion for sketching and painting becomes her way of reconnecting—with her roots, with her family, and with herself.

As the narrative unfolds, the story moves between time periods and perspectives, revealing family secrets like quilt pieces stitched together through generations. Miriam, August, Joan, and their matriarch Hazel all take turns sharing their truths. Their voices form a rich tapestry of heartache, sacrifice, love, and endurance. Memphis is not just a novel it’s a testimony.

⚠️ Content Warning: This novel contains sensitive themes including sexual assault, police brutality, domestic abuse, racism, murder, and racial slurs.

My Thoughts:

The moment I saw the cover of Memphis at Barnes & Noble, I knew I had to read it. I didn’t read the synopsis or any reviews I saw “Memphis” and thought: Yes, that’s my city. As a proud Memphian, born and raised, I felt a personal pull to support a story that represents my hometown.

Reading Memphis was not easy, but it was deeply rewarding. It’s a novel that doesn’t shy away from pain generational trauma, systemic racism, and personal loss but it’s also full of beauty, community, and hope. What made this story hit even harder is how much of it echoes the real-life history of Memphis. Often, people only associate Memphis with Elvis Presley and Graceland, but there is so much more here Black history, resilience, artistry, and a deep, layered culture that this book brings to life.

There were moments I wanted to put the book down, especially when the suffering felt too close to home. By Chapter 8, I had to pause. But I returned to the story because I needed to see how Tara M. Stringfellow would guide these women through their journeys. And I’m glad I did.

I especially loved the inclusion of real Memphis history and locations, and characters like Mrs. Dawn a neighbor and one of Joan’s muses who brought an intriguing layer of spiritual depth. Her subtle practice of root work and hoodoo reminded me of the hidden traditions and spiritual practices embedded in Memphis’s past something often overlooked, but vital to our story as a city.

I also appreciated how community was portrayed in this novel. Back then, everyone looked out for each other blood or not. It was that sense of connection that helped this family survive.

I do wish we’d gotten to hear more from Maya’s perspective. She brought levity and laughter to the story, and I wonder if her silence was intentional perhaps a sign that the generational trauma ends with her. As the youngest in my own family, I understand how humor can be a shield, a way to keep peace, and a way to cope.

Joan’s character resonated with me the most. She found strength in forgiveness and forged her own path through art. Her ability to transform her pain into beauty was nothing short of inspiring. Her journey is a reminder that healing is possible and that it doesn’t mean forgetting, but choosing to move forward anyway.

Final Thoughts:

Memphis is a stunning novel honest, lyrical, and full of heart. It’s not just a story about pain, but about transformation, love, and the legacy of women who refuse to be broken. There are moments of light, laughter, and triumph woven into its pages.

I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. If you choose to read it, be prepared for emotional depth, but know that there’s beauty waiting on the other side.