Scan barcode
mediumwellread's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tokay13's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook read by the author. What a sad, ethereal story. The ending gave me chills.
mynameismarines's review against another edition
4.0
This is the sort of book is both difficult and almost redundant to review. It's beautifully crafted, heartbreaking and undoubtedly a classic. In fact, I picked it up because I'm working my way through a, "Books to Read in a Lifetime" type list.
The four star rating is here to remind myself of myself of my experience with Beloved. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me to pick up the narrative thread in the beginning. I often read things over a few times, making sure I understood what I was reading and how it fit with the larger story I'd already read. Things don't always have to be "easy" reads, but I found this sometimes dropped away from its own path in favor of style over storytelling.
Interestingly enough, I would absolutely reread this story, and in fact, I'm almost certain it would be even better the second time around.
The four star rating is here to remind myself of myself of my experience with Beloved. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me to pick up the narrative thread in the beginning. I often read things over a few times, making sure I understood what I was reading and how it fit with the larger story I'd already read. Things don't always have to be "easy" reads, but I found this sometimes dropped away from its own path in favor of style over storytelling.
Interestingly enough, I would absolutely reread this story, and in fact, I'm almost certain it would be even better the second time around.
meg_rich01's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was good and it was really interesting. It definitely made me think and at times was a bit creepy. It is incredibly hard to judge the main character for what she did because I have no way of knowing how I personally would have reacted. Not only did I not live in that time period but I have no possible way to understand the panic and fear which must have consumed her in that moment. Anything to keep at least one of her children from the same life as her (pre escape).
nicolebratsch's review against another edition
5.0
Moved me and made me uncomfortable in the perfect combination. A pure book written with such emotion and poetry!
tolstoj4ever's review against another edition
5.0
this book shattered me and then collected all the pieces back together and then re-shattered me literally every single chapter. incredible.
read: "To Be Loved and Cry Shame": A Psychological Reading of Toni Morrison's "Beloved" by Lynda Koolish
...a lot of the psychological elements of long-term trauma that slavery causes both on individuals and on generations of society were evoked through beloved, who is simoultanously the reincarnation of sethe's murdered daughter, but also a personification of each and every character's suppressed, traumatic past, as well as the general suppressed, traumatic past of black people in america. so so layered and intertwined and genius.
read: "To Be Loved and Cry Shame": A Psychological Reading of Toni Morrison's "Beloved" by Lynda Koolish
...a lot of the psychological elements of long-term trauma that slavery causes both on individuals and on generations of society were evoked through beloved, who is simoultanously the reincarnation of sethe's murdered daughter, but also a personification of each and every character's suppressed, traumatic past, as well as the general suppressed, traumatic past of black people in america. so so layered and intertwined and genius.
jamilamoure's review against another edition
I don't do ghost stories, dead children, or sexual content. (I'm easily haunted.) Anyone who feels similarly would be wise to skip Beloved. Defies the five-star rating system. Can you give something five stars and one star simultaneously? It's gorgeous and complex; it's filthy and horrifying. Can't recommend it, but I wish I could talk to someone about some of its finer points.
rileyg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
dennisfischman's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fable, a ghost story, a history, a nightmare and a waking, a love story--many love stories, none of them easy or clean--a coming of age. It's an allegory about America, and it's a personal, intimate look at Black men and women who are all complicated and real and people all of their ownselves and also the playthings of white racism and slavery. I have read it at least three times now, mostly before Goodreads existed, and I am sure there is still more in it than I have understood.