The writing flows so naturally, intimately and delicately, like a narrative meringue. I thought this book was so sweet and enjoyable.

This book is sneaky in its goodness. As more skilled reviewers than me have noted, Memorial is superb in its observation and descriptions of the mundanity of life and our interpersonal relationships as humans. I was enjoying the book pretty well in the first half, and the change of perspective from one main character to the next brought the book to another level for me, a reminder that there are AT LEAST two sides to every story, every interaction. In addition to his well drawn characters, Bryan Washington brings Houston (and Osaka, Japan) to life in a fantastic debut novel. Highly recommended!

I listened to an advanced copy of this novel, and I loved it. It's a very human, character-driven story about two men possibly on the verge of ending their relationship when one decides to travel to Japan to see his estranged, dying father just as his mother arrives from Japan, leaving his Black boyfriend staying in their apartment with the mother.

RIYL Real Life, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Japan, dysfunctional relationships.