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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
First Morrison for me, initial read-through. Will be re-reading later in the year in a book club. Loved how real the characters became for me, while introducing me to a world outside my experience. Looking forward to a second, deeper dive.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This was my first Toni Morrison book. This book is beautifully written and Morrison writes with such colorful imagery and poetry, but like many other readers, I didn’t feel attached to any characters and therefore could not really get into the book. It was not “unputdownable”. I had to force my way through a lot of it.
But I realize that not all books are universally relatable, even the good ones like this one.
I would like to read a second Morrison book to try to understand her better.
But I realize that not all books are universally relatable, even the good ones like this one.
I would like to read a second Morrison book to try to understand her better.
Re-read after Toni Morrison's death because this was the first book I read of hers, and I remember it as golden and influential in my life. Re-reading after 30 years, elements of the story weighed differently with me than they did the first time. I remembered the unearthing of Solomon's story as long and drawn out, based on agonizing detective work, but on re-reading I realized that Milkman practically picked the story out of thin air on the basis of nothing much. I remembered sympathizing strongly with Hagar, but this time I agreed more with First Corinthians on the subject of Milkman. I had completely forgotten about the friendship with Guitar and its breakdown. One thing I recognized and remembered as soon as I opened the book and read the first page again is that to read a Toni Morrison book is to put yourself in the hands of a master.
This book tells the story of the "Dead" family through the life of its youngest member, Macon Dead III, called Milkman. Milkman is drawn into the rift between his well to do landlord father and his moonshine brewing, herbal medicine practicing aunt. Because of this rift, he comes to investigate his family's origins and the early lives of his father and his aunt. What he finds surprises and energizes him, and draws him into a more authentic life.
This book tells the story of the "Dead" family through the life of its youngest member, Macon Dead III, called Milkman. Milkman is drawn into the rift between his well to do landlord father and his moonshine brewing, herbal medicine practicing aunt. Because of this rift, he comes to investigate his family's origins and the early lives of his father and his aunt. What he finds surprises and energizes him, and draws him into a more authentic life.
Disturbing, uplifting, nuanced, and masterful, this is my third Morrison and I’ll be damned if it’s my last. The craft of every sentence amazed me.
anything that could ever be written has been sung already by toni morrison
“What good is a man's life if he can't even choose what to die for?”
Toni Morrison's writing is so beautiful.
Her narrative details is very poetic even though sometimes you think you understand whats happening but really you do not.
She made the book a page turner. You can't stop flipping to the next page to find out whats happening.
I think together with Milkman you are in this journey together with him to find out the family secrets.
I wasn't attached to any of the characters. But I could still feel the attachment of their storyline.
I was frustrated at first that there were gaps and holes in certain character storyline but I think there is a beauty of not knowing and each reader could patch a plotline of what happen.
“You stupid, man. Real stupid. Ain’t no law for no colored man except the one sends him to the chair,” said Guitar.”
Toni Morrison's writing is so beautiful.
Her narrative details is very poetic even though sometimes you think you understand whats happening but really you do not.
She made the book a page turner. You can't stop flipping to the next page to find out whats happening.
I think together with Milkman you are in this journey together with him to find out the family secrets.
I wasn't attached to any of the characters. But I could still feel the attachment of their storyline.
I was frustrated at first that there were gaps and holes in certain character storyline but I think there is a beauty of not knowing and each reader could patch a plotline of what happen.
“You stupid, man. Real stupid. Ain’t no law for no colored man except the one sends him to the chair,” said Guitar.”
This is one of the best books I have ever read, and reread, and reread. Every time I read it I love it more. Morrison's language is rich, her images vibrant, and her story intriguing. The last paragraphs of this book rank in my top five best endings ever.
The ending was beautiful once Macon realized who he was and where he came from. I've read that this was Morrison's work with male characters, but I felt like the women in the family had plenty of storylines and depth and purpose too.