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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a quick read that threw me for a loop every other page. I enjoyed the prose, and it had me really connecting with the characters. However I did have to read a summary afterwards just to make sure I actually “got it,” and I definitely need to reread it at least once to further appreciate the story and style.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
On the expectations front, I was completely blown away by this book. Toni Morrison is heralded as one of America's greatest authors, and for good reason. Her prose is as inventive as ever, laden with metaphors and meaning as the symbols begin to unravel throughout the course of the plot. This gives way to greater meaning and relevance to social issues, all wrapped in a beautifully engaging and enthralling plot.
Song of Solomon is a rollercoaster of a story, as it follows the protagonist, Milkman, and his journey to discover his own identity. The reason for this is so convoluted, so complex, that it was certainly confusing and difficult to keep up with at times. Morrison did not shy away from detail when creating the rhapsodic backstory of the Dead family, but it is truly rewarding upon completion of the novel. And despite the confusion, the detail given allows for a mystery-esque novel that has many a moment of revelation. I really liked how the backstory played into the protagonists development, kind of like a prophecy that Milkman was unconsciously following. Milkman also seemed to be instinctively drawn to discovering himself - even if he didn't know he was - and I think the obvious correlations with family identity and cultural identity were special and universal.
What I may have most enjoyed about the book, though, is the pure creativity on offer. From the names of the characters (a family tradition of randomly pointing at the Bible to decide upon a name) to the takes on racism and social justice, Morrison pushes the boundaries of traditional story-telling to deliver quite a spectacular work of literature. It was fascinating to read upon several passages that shed light on the issues of our time in America, whilst not limiting the novel's scope to just one particular view. Morrison shows a vastly diverse spectrum of the African-American experience, but ensures there is detail and reasoning for the characters' individual views to be justified. And even when these views are perhaps too radical, Morrison ensures they are called out on this, but lets us do the work as well. She is a true visionary, and I am excited to read her other classics to engage further in this discourse.
Overall, certainly a 4.5, as I would only deduct because of the difficulty I had with the following of the novel at points. I would say a second read is in order for the future, as the sheer amount of names and the complexity of the family tree are ambitious. However, the aforementioned reward for this detail is certainly satisfying, and I am sure it will be more so upon a second perusal. I am inspired by Morrison's creativity and her seamless blending of literature and activism - a true classic.
Song of Solomon is a rollercoaster of a story, as it follows the protagonist, Milkman, and his journey to discover his own identity. The reason for this is so convoluted, so complex, that it was certainly confusing and difficult to keep up with at times. Morrison did not shy away from detail when creating the rhapsodic backstory of the Dead family, but it is truly rewarding upon completion of the novel. And despite the confusion, the detail given allows for a mystery-esque novel that has many a moment of revelation. I really liked how the backstory played into the protagonists development, kind of like a prophecy that Milkman was unconsciously following. Milkman also seemed to be instinctively drawn to discovering himself - even if he didn't know he was - and I think the obvious correlations with family identity and cultural identity were special and universal.
What I may have most enjoyed about the book, though, is the pure creativity on offer. From the names of the characters (a family tradition of randomly pointing at the Bible to decide upon a name) to the takes on racism and social justice, Morrison pushes the boundaries of traditional story-telling to deliver quite a spectacular work of literature. It was fascinating to read upon several passages that shed light on the issues of our time in America, whilst not limiting the novel's scope to just one particular view. Morrison shows a vastly diverse spectrum of the African-American experience, but ensures there is detail and reasoning for the characters' individual views to be justified. And even when these views are perhaps too radical, Morrison ensures they are called out on this, but lets us do the work as well. She is a true visionary, and I am excited to read her other classics to engage further in this discourse.
Overall, certainly a 4.5, as I would only deduct because of the difficulty I had with the following of the novel at points. I would say a second read is in order for the future, as the sheer amount of names and the complexity of the family tree are ambitious. However, the aforementioned reward for this detail is certainly satisfying, and I am sure it will be more so upon a second perusal. I am inspired by Morrison's creativity and her seamless blending of literature and activism - a true classic.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rended me limb from limb. Goddamnit.
Ok so my internet has been down for past couple days plus broken laptop hence backlog. I’ve been interested in this book for a long while and it didn’t disappoint, though I think Beloved is still The One with TM. 3.5
Twice in this book precise scenarios described by Fanon in BSWM occur (question of suicide and the black male-as-phallus). I’m sure this is quite intentional on Morrison’s part.
It’s a good novel! More complex than Beloved in terms of characters - Pilate is fantastic and fascinating and I want to hear more of her. I suspect that things start to make less sense as it goes on, but I refuse to hold that against it.
My issue is that while SoS is more dramatic and broader in scope than B, I’m not strictly convinced that it’s more effective as an evocation of history. It’s probably unfair of me to compare it to one of the most significant novels of the 20thc but here I am anyway.
Questions - is Toni Morrison a historical novelist? (or) Does she write historical fiction? Is distinguishing the two worthwhile?
Twice in this book precise scenarios described by Fanon in BSWM occur (question of suicide and the black male-as-phallus). I’m sure this is quite intentional on Morrison’s part.
It’s a good novel! More complex than Beloved in terms of characters - Pilate is fantastic and fascinating and I want to hear more of her. I suspect that things start to make less sense as it goes on, but I refuse to hold that against it.
My issue is that while SoS is more dramatic and broader in scope than B, I’m not strictly convinced that it’s more effective as an evocation of history. It’s probably unfair of me to compare it to one of the most significant novels of the 20thc but here I am anyway.
Questions - is Toni Morrison a historical novelist? (or) Does she write historical fiction? Is distinguishing the two worthwhile?