Bryan Washington’s Novel ‘Memorial’: A Deep Dive

Quick Answer

• Audience Fit: Readers seeking nuanced explorations of Black queer relationships, family dynamics, and cultural identity will find Memorial compelling.
• Core Conflict: The novel centers on the strained relationship between Benson and Mike, amplified by the unexpected arrival of Mike’s estranged mother, Judy, and the subsequent collapse of their shared life.
• Key Takeaway: Memorial offers a textured, often challenging, examination of love, loss, and the difficult process of rebuilding connections, demanding patience from its readers.

Who This Is For

• Readers interested in contemporary literary fiction that delves into the complexities of identity, particularly within Black and queer communities.
• Those who appreciate character-driven narratives that prioritize emotional resonance and thematic depth over plot-driven action.

What to Check First

• Narrative Structure: Be prepared for a non-linear narrative that shifts perspectives and timelines, requiring active engagement to piece together the story.
• Emotional Tone: The novel navigates themes of grief, resentment, and longing with a raw, unflinching honesty that can be emotionally demanding.
• Character Motivation: Understand that characters often act out of pain, habit, or deeply ingrained patterns, which may not always align with conventional expectations of rational behavior.
• Setting: The Houston setting is integral to the narrative, shaping the characters’ experiences and cultural context.

Step-by-Step Plan: Engaging with Memorial by Bryan Washington

This guide outlines a structured approach to reading and understanding Memorial, focusing on identifying potential challenges and maximizing comprehension.

1. Initial Immersion: Begin by reading the first 50 pages.

• Action: Focus on establishing the primary characters (Benson and Mike) and their domestic situation. Note the initial presentation of their relationship.
• What to Look For: The establishment of the central domestic tension and the subtle cues indicating underlying issues.
• Mistake to Avoid: Expecting a clear, linear plot progression from the outset. The novel often builds its world and conflicts gradually.

2. Character Dynamics Introduction: Read the section detailing Judy’s arrival.

• Action: Observe how Judy’s presence disrupts Benson and Mike’s established dynamic. Pay attention to the dialogue and internal monologues.
• What to Look For: The immediate shifts in power, communication breakdowns, and the surfacing of past grievances.
• Mistake to Avoid: Judging Judy solely on initial impressions. Her character, like others, is multifaceted and her motivations evolve.

3. Perspective Shifts and Time Jumps: Engage with sections that feature significant shifts in point-of-view or temporal jumps.

• Action: Actively track who is narrating and when the events are taking place. Note any recurring motifs or thematic connections across different timelines.
• What to Look For: How these shifts reveal deeper layers of character history and emotional impact. The narrative deliberately disorients to mirror emotional states.
• Mistake to Avoid: Becoming frustrated by the perceived fragmentation. These shifts are integral to the novel’s exploration of memory and trauma.

4. Thematic Resonance: Focus on recurring themes such as legacy, inheritance (both literal and emotional), and the nature of home.

• Action: Identify instances where these themes are explicitly or implicitly addressed through character interactions, settings, or internal reflections.
• What to Look For: The interconnectedness of the characters’ pasts and presents, and how they grapple with what they’ve been given and what they choose to pass on.
• Mistake to Avoid: Treating the novel as solely a relationship drama. The broader societal and cultural contexts are crucial to understanding the characters’ predicaments.

Memorial: A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel)

• Audible Audiobook
• Bryan Washington (Author) - Bryan Washington, Akie Kotabe (Narrators)
• English (Publication Language)
• 10/27/2020 (Publication Date) - Penguin Audio (Publisher)

Buy on Amazon

5. Navigating Ambiguity: Read the latter half of the novel, particularly sections dealing with resolution or lack thereof.

• Action: Pay close attention to the silences and unspoken tensions as much as the dialogue. Consider the implications of characters’ choices and their potential consequences.
• What to Look For: The novel’s embrace of ambiguity. Resolution is often found in acceptance rather than definitive answers.
• Mistake to Avoid: Seeking a neat, Hollywood-style conclusion. Washington’s work often reflects life’s messiness, where closure is hard-won and imperfect.

Memorial by Bryan Washington: Failure Modes and Detection

A common failure mode for readers engaging with Memorial is underestimating the novel’s deliberate pacing and reliance on atmosphere over explicit exposition. This can lead to a perception of the narrative being directionless or characters being frustratingly passive.

Failure Mode: Misinterpreting narrative ambiguity as a lack of authorial intent or character agency. Readers may become impatient with the slow burn, expecting clearer plot points or more overt emotional declarations.

Detection:

• Early Signs: Frequent rereading of sentences or paragraphs to grasp the immediate meaning. A growing sense of confusion about character motivations or plot direction. A feeling that events are happening to characters rather than being driven by them.
• Mid-Read Indicators: Expressing frustration with the lack of “what happens next.” Questioning why characters aren’t taking more decisive actions. A tendency to skim sections perceived as less plot-critical.

Correction: Shift focus from plot progression to emotional and thematic development. Recognize that Washington uses atmosphere, subtext, and internal reflection to convey character depth and relationship dynamics. Embrace the novel’s invitation to infer and connect, rather than demanding explicit signposting. Understand that character agency in Memorial often manifests in subtle choices, endurance, and the internal processing of events, rather than grand gestures.

Common Myths About Memorial by Bryan Washington

• Myth 1: Memorial is a straightforward story about a breakup and reconciliation.
• Correction: While relationship dynamics are central, the novel is a complex exploration of grief, familial obligation, cultural identity, and the inherited burdens passed down through generations. The “breakup” is a catalyst for deeper, more intricate examinations of connection and belonging.

• Myth 2: The characters in Memorial are unlikeable due to their flaws and passive behavior.
• Correction: The characters are intentionally portrayed with significant flaws and often exhibit passive tendencies as a reflection of their internal struggles and the oppressive societal forces they navigate. Their complexities are the novel’s strength, offering a realistic portrayal of individuals grappling with trauma and difficult circumstances.

Expert Tips for Reading Memorial

• Tip 1: Embrace the Houston Landscape.
• Action: Pay close attention to how the city of Houston is depicted and how it influences the characters’ lives and perspectives. Note specific locations and cultural references.
• Mistake to Avoid: Treating the setting as mere backdrop. Washington uses Houston to ground the narrative and imbue it with a distinct cultural and emotional resonance.

• Tip 2: Track the “Memorials.”
• Action: Identify and list the various forms of “memorials” present in the novel – not just literal ones, but also the ways characters remember, commemorate, or carry the weight of past relationships, events, and people.
• Mistake to Avoid: Focusing only on the titular concept of a physical memorial. The novel’s power lies in its exploration of the myriad ways we memorialize and are memorialized.

• Tip 3: Be Patient with Unanswered Questions.
• Action: Accept that not all narrative threads will be neatly tied up. Allow for ambiguity and focus on the emotional truth conveyed by the characters’ experiences.
• Mistake to Avoid: Demanding definitive plot resolutions. The novel’s impact often comes from its lingering questions and the resonance of its emotional landscape.

Quick Comparison

Decision Rules

• If prioritizing a narrative that directly engages with clear plot progression and explicit emotional arcs, Memorial may not align with your preferences.
• If you value character studies and thematic explorations that unfold subtly, Memorial offers significant rewards.
• If you are looking for a book that provides easy answers and definitive resolutions, consider other titles.

FAQ

• Q: Is Memorial a difficult read?

A: Memorial can be challenging due to its non-linear structure, complex emotional themes, and understated narrative style. It requires a reader willing to engage actively with subtext and ambiguity.

• Q: Who are the main characters in Memorial?

A: The primary characters are Benson and Mike, a young couple whose relationship is tested. Other significant characters include Mike’s estranged mother, Judy, and Benson’s parents.

• Q: What is the central conflict of the novel?

A: The central conflict stems from the disintegration of Benson and Mike’s relationship, exacerbated by Mike’s mother’s return and the characters’ inability to communicate effectively about their grief and desires.

• Q: Does Memorial offer a hopeful ending?

A: The novel’s ending is nuanced rather than definitively hopeful or bleak. It suggests the possibility of rebuilding and connection, but acknowledges the enduring impact of past traumas and the ongoing work required for healing.