Finding Tambri

A woman’s shattered life is recounted in 12 short stories from seven different narrators in Meeks’s uneven debut set in Georgia. Tambri, a wife and mother in her 20s, is devastated by the death of her little boy, Sammy. Although Tambri loves her husband, they end up divorcing because Sammy’s death is too much for them to bear. For the next 20 years, Tambri shuts off her emotions, and the door to Sammy’s room, while she enters into unhealthy relationships. Vickie, Tambri’s friend, puts her own marriage at risk by giving Tambri her undivided love and support. Each story is told either by Tambri or an important person in her life. Unfortunately, the stories are often confusing, either because Meeks doesn’t orient the reader to each story or because too much weight is given to lesser characters, events, and themes. Ironically, while many things seem to be foreshadowed or deemed important, they’re frequently undeveloped or even dropped. It’s difficult to be completely invested in the overarching story or Tambri because crucial details and perspectives that would bond readers with the struggling protagonist are never divulged. The stories lack momentum and the resolution borders on trite. (BookLife)