stephen_coulon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Toni Morrison’s bleak look into the insidious effects culturalized racism can have on society’s most powerless members, especially children. Morrison’s style is beyond poetic, almost dreamlike – the setting, the scenes seem to play out on a series of stages as setpieces, rather than realistically. Analogues in film would be Wes Anderson’s work or the films of Spike Lee. It’s unique and engaging, and lends a universal gravitas to the tale. It’s Shakespearian. It would be hard not to be emotionally affected by the story, though often the thematics are so blunt and earnest they beat down the humanity of the actual characters. It’s a difficult balance to strike I think for a conceptual novel like this, developing real characters and serving the poetic conceits that lend artistry to the project. I walk away from the reading experience both depressed and enlightened, which were explicit goals for the author according to her afterword, but I also feel too disconnected from the characters as real people to make a lasting connection to the book. Again in the afterword of my edition Morrison recognizes this flaw, and she puts the blame on her decision to break up the narrative into separate voices and to break up the plot chronologically. It’s hard not to agree.
jgmencarini's review
4.0
This book is devastatingly sad, which is the only reason I did not give it five stars. It is heartwrenching, thought-provoking, and inventive.
agentalpo's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
lollipopkenny123's review
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
samidhak's review
4.0
4.5 Stars!
This book affected me so much that I can't ever forget it, even if I wish too.
This novel of barely 200 pages went deeper than anything I've ever read and felt.
It follows the story and first person narrative of Claudia and her sister Fredia, who make friends with Pecola, a girl of their age who has a lot of troubles.
The narrative follows third person entires of Pecola's families and how Racism, caste and human/racial discrimination and stereotyping effect people in large.
"But since WHY is difficult to handle, one must seek refuge in HOW."
The innocent commentary from a child's perspective is heart wrenching.
Pecola, who has always been made to think of herself as ugly wishes to have blue eyes, like the white American children in her school.
It's her quest and hardships that she faces from her community, society and even nation at large which is reflected in this book.
A true blend of amazement, social issues and a beautiful voice, THE BLUEST EYES, is a book everyone should definitely read.
"Love is never any better than the lover. There is no gift for the beloved. The lover alone possesses his gift of love."
This book affected me so much that I can't ever forget it, even if I wish too.
This novel of barely 200 pages went deeper than anything I've ever read and felt.
It follows the story and first person narrative of Claudia and her sister Fredia, who make friends with Pecola, a girl of their age who has a lot of troubles.
The narrative follows third person entires of Pecola's families and how Racism, caste and human/racial discrimination and stereotyping effect people in large.
"But since WHY is difficult to handle, one must seek refuge in HOW."
The innocent commentary from a child's perspective is heart wrenching.
Pecola, who has always been made to think of herself as ugly wishes to have blue eyes, like the white American children in her school.
It's her quest and hardships that she faces from her community, society and even nation at large which is reflected in this book.
A true blend of amazement, social issues and a beautiful voice, THE BLUEST EYES, is a book everyone should definitely read.
"Love is never any better than the lover. There is no gift for the beloved. The lover alone possesses his gift of love."
katiescogins's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
crookedking's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jlye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is hard for me to rate. On one hand, I love Toni Morrison’s writing. It’s beautiful and poetic. I felt a connection to the Pecola’s longing for blue eyes, because I wished for the same when I was a child. The inferiority complex resulting from tying beauty to western standards - blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin - resonated with me and my own struggles with self-esteem growing up in a white-dominated society. However, I cannot look past the characterization of Soaphead Church, particularly the implication that his pedophilia was the result of being a closeted homosexual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Racism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Incest, and Homophobia
mcyewfly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Toni Morrison continues to demonstrate that her writing needs a classroom in order to appreciate every nuance fully.
My favorite part of Morrison’s writing style in this book is how often she shows the reader everything we need to know without telling us anything. The theme of beauty is captured so powerfully through long paragraphs interrupting the plot, but, naturally, no one ever says outright, “what beauty on display!” There’s just a strong poetic gut feeling that this description is beautiful. Then, it’s juxtaposed immediately with an ugly, disgusting plot the little girls must traverse. Of course those descriptions are short, snippy sentences to serve as another stark juxtaposition on what society values. And this isn’t even the primary juxtaposition Morrison weaves throughout the story!
The nuclear family trope—propping up Dick & Jane—also breaks up the plot at the start of each chapter, which consistently reminds the reader just how far the characters have strayed from what “ought to be.”
The prose itself has such a somber singsong approach itself. I noticed throughout the book specific sentences or paragraphs carrying rhymes or rhythms. Again, there’s so much more in this book, but this space isn’t enough.
The fact that a 12 year old is raped, twice, by her father, and then impregnated, but the characters only focus on the two of then being ugly and producing ugly children speaks to just how dehumanizing and disgusting racism makes people. Another brilliant display of the theme masterfully being shown through despicable people.
My favorite part of Morrison’s writing style in this book is how often she shows the reader everything we need to know without telling us anything. The theme of beauty is captured so powerfully through long paragraphs interrupting the plot, but, naturally, no one ever says outright, “what beauty on display!” There’s just a strong poetic gut feeling that this description is beautiful. Then, it’s juxtaposed immediately with an ugly, disgusting plot the little girls must traverse. Of course those descriptions are short, snippy sentences to serve as another stark juxtaposition on what society values. And this isn’t even the primary juxtaposition Morrison weaves throughout the story!
The nuclear family trope—propping up Dick & Jane—also breaks up the plot at the start of each chapter, which consistently reminds the reader just how far the characters have strayed from what “ought to be.”
The prose itself has such a somber singsong approach itself. I noticed throughout the book specific sentences or paragraphs carrying rhymes or rhythms. Again, there’s so much more in this book, but this space isn’t enough.