Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey

Synopsis: The personal account of a young girl who loses her mother to domestic abuse.

Writing Style: Poetic. Warm. Very Quiet. Humbling

Pacing: Moderately Fast.

Personal Highlights: Be ready to pull out the tissue box. Although I read the story in one sitting, this account of domestic abuse was challenging to read. From beginning to end I couldn’t help but detect writing so faint and delicate, and yet so fiercely poignant that even the good times were hard to celebrate. And not that I was looking for a place to smile, I did come upon a small reprieve—humored however brief—by Natasha’s skepticism visiting ‘the medium’. I totally related… until I found myself reaching for another tissue after she decoded that chilling revelation. She definitely is perceptive, and a phenomenal writer to boot. Overall this story is well-written and touching, and hopefully proved cathartic for Natasha, and as well a cautionary tale to prevent other narratives as heartbreaking.