Memorial

Bryan Washington is obviously a talented writer a gifted storyteller, even. In Memorial, he has written an interesting story about potentially interesting (though not always likable) characters. I admire the cultural and racial diversity that exists among the assorted characters, which feels natural rather than like an overwrought knock to the head. And the storys ending is well-developed and genuinely touching.

What kept me at arms length throughout my reading of this much-lauded novel was the excessive (to the point of growing downright wearisome) use of extremely foul language. I am anything but a prude, with a far-reaching taste in literature; but the numbing onslaught of obscenity diminished the impact of this story and made the characters come to feel one-dimensional I couldnt help wishing that at least Mikes mother had been depicted with more dignity than the author allowed; instead, she blended disappointingly into an indistinguishable mix with every other endlessly cursing character that populates this story. That is a real shame, as its depiction of relationships of both the sexual and blood family variety is well worth discovering. Its a shame that the author comes across here as a kid who just learned that he can get away with using the F-word.

There is much about this book that I find most perplexing. Lets start with the many glowing reviews the book got. Its totally inexplicable to me since I find nothing to recommend it. Its a story that word is mostly a misnomer since there is practically no plot or character development is about two young men in a romantic relationship that is on the rocks. Given that they both have the emotional maturity of 15-year-olds which might explain why almost every other word they utter is a curse word that they cant figure out how to deal with what is going on is no surprise.
The title is perplexing since nothing or no one in the book is memorialized. Even the cover art is perplexing because it shows a bed sheet or something used as a sail. There is not one mention of sailing or a sailboat or anything like that, literally or metaphorically, in the book.
Why the author doesnt use quotation marks, so the reader can follow who is saying what, or why a copy editor hasnt cleaned up some of the rough spots is also perplexing.
And why when I wanted to give up when I was about a third of the way through this mess but forced myself to go on in hopes of figuring out what others saw in it or even to find a smidgen of the humor they saw is, yes, indeed, perplexing.

This book sucked. I can’t believe GMA recommended it. It was boring and it was poorly written. It was a total waste of my time and money.

Such a unique writing style. Quick, witty, and with so much feeling. And, oh the dialogue. You will come to know two men, who are in a relationship with each other, and soon to be complicated with ones mother (love her), and his father, with whom he has been out of touch.

Told from the perspective of these two men. How they see themselves, each other, their disparate childhoods, what is broken in their relationship, and perhaps, what the future holds.

A strange rift has occurred, and it leaves an opening for them which way will they go.

The longing in Mike and Bens voices is always present. They push and pull each other, and you learn about the deep-seated pain they both hold from lifelong struggles. Scorned by their parents for being gay, coming from broken families, and not sure where they belong in the world. Their hearts are tender, and they seem unwilling to fully open themselves up to further anguish.

MEMORIAL is an intensely moving and humorous story about family, letting go, love, and an exploration of race and gay relationships.

This book was on every “must read” list this fall, but I have no idea why. I made it nearly half-way through and then just had to stop; life is too short. Strangely, some review comments describe this book as funny, but it is not at all. The two male characters do nothing but whine. The female character is tough but not in an endearing way. The story plods along at a glacial pace with far too much repetition. The author has done a good job of creating realistic characters (hence, the 3 stars), but they are not interesting.

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