Reviews

Recitatif by Toni Morrison

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home_again's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

Short but powerful. The last line really drove the message home.

This short story spans several years and brings up a lot of questions about race and equality. It powerfully highlights some of the ways we are all the same even while we are so aware of the differences between us.

For how short it is, there is so much there. The handful of experiences we witness between these girls/women bring up so many important social issues. It touches on things such as parents' responsibilities, disability, public discourse, and bullying. It does so without pressuring the reader to adopt a specific perspective.

I was really touched by the story and it will stay with me for a long time.

c3line's review against another edition

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tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Very complicated and interesting book that I know I'll have in my thoughts for a while to come!

booksamongstfriends's review against another edition

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5.0

This story will challenge your way of thinking! And what better author than Toni Morrison to do so. Starting from their time in foster care, reading their experiences into adulthood and motherhood, Morrison has you wondering which one is black, and which one is white. Twyla or Roberta. It’s up to us as the reader to decide which is which, never exposed to the truth. Is it the names, their actions, their responses, their mothers…. How do you identify a person?

I have been suggesting this book and boy has it sparked interesting conversation. My godmother and I have been coming back to this for the last few days. My godmother quickly looked at the differences in their mothers, but just as quickly questioned if that was really a telling point. At every page you realize that what is considered “black” or “white” for one person could be argued for southern in certain context. Or religious in another. Just as I knew Twyla was black…. by the end it was clear to me Roberta was instead. At every conversation my mind changed but one in particular stuck out. The Hendrix talk.

vietmom's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

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

An interesting piece on implicit racial biases.

ba6a's review against another edition

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5.0

i usually skim through intros but i read zadie smith's before starting recitatif and went back to reread it after finishing.. highly recommend u don't skip it