MemorialMemorial
Score Modern
What it's about
Benson and Mike, together for a few good years in Houston, aren't sure why they're still a couple. Then Mike learns his estranged father is dying in Osaka.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. It's funny and profound about family in all its strange forms.
You'll love it if you liked
The Other Americans
Lost Children Archive
Giovanni's RoomGood to know
It's about love and family.
By the numbers
- Readers2 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller17 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz14 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #1620 of the 1,647 modern books we rank
- #3016 of the 3,056 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
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Is Memorial worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. It ranks #3,016 of the 3,056 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 52.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Memorial about?
Benson and Mike, together for a few good years in Houston, aren't sure why they're still a couple. Then Mike learns his estranged father is dying in Osaka.
How long does it take to read Memorial?
About 8 hours (336 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Memorial?
If you liked it, try The Other Americans by Laila Lalami, Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli or Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.