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liana's review against another edition
5.0
I don't really know what I'm gonna do once I have no more works by Toni Morrison to read for the first time. No one writes like her, no ine can quite capture humanity the same way she can. And her grasp on and perception of language? The way language is utilised as a theme and tool in this story? I will eat it up forever and ever.
jazzzzzis's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sharu901's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
audreychiao's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. This book is brilliant. I listened to the audiobook in one sitting.
greenbeanbaby's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of my top 5 favorite books of all time… a must read for everyone and worth much self reflection… how often do we rely on race to determine how we will act or react to someone before we are comfortable around them? Especially as a Latina (minority) , this is usually done out of survival… and yet, there is always someone, some class, some group “lower” and considered a nobody, making us a somebody… utterly profound book that really speaks volumes on race, humanity, and friendship, and the struggles.
susieq_falalala's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
lulutalia's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
readwithdesiree's review against another edition
4.5
I just needed a short read after taking nearly a month to finish my last book. And wow, what a choice!
The racial ambiguity of Toni Morrison’s characters in Recitatif really brings the reader’s prejudices to the forefront, centering introspection and self reflection while also highlighting the difficulty in reexamining uncomfortable shared experiences.
As many before me have suggested, in order to get the full experience of this short story, I highly recommend reading Recitatif before reading Zadie Smith’s in-depth introduction.
The racial ambiguity of Toni Morrison’s characters in Recitatif really brings the reader’s prejudices to the forefront, centering introspection and self reflection while also highlighting the difficulty in reexamining uncomfortable shared experiences.
As many before me have suggested, in order to get the full experience of this short story, I highly recommend reading Recitatif before reading Zadie Smith’s in-depth introduction.
kjboldon's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Morrison's only short story is so layered that it takes Zadie Smith the same number of pages to unpack it. Read the Introduction as an Afterward if you don't want the story spoiled.