Reviews - Beloved: A Novel

11.3k reviews for:

Beloved: A Novel

Toni Morrison

4.08 AVERAGE

jennibeans69's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ledgerdenis's review against another edition

1.0

I don't understand the book. I gave up reading it after a while. I go after the idea if the story don't captivate me then I don't continue reading it.

rachjtx's review against another edition

4.0

After about two chapters, when I was seriously doubting that I could continue to struggle through, I just happened to read an article that mentioned that the audiobook is read by Toni Morrison, so I ditched the hard copy and switched to the audio.

Listening to a repetitive, rambling, lyrical, stream of consciousness read by the author may not always be a pleasant experience, but in this case, it definitely was. It was like sitting next to her on a comfortable sofa and listening to her tell stories. Rambling, repetitive, lyrical, stream of consciousness stories, yes; but wrenching, too, shocking, significant and very moving.

noah_vayman's review against another edition

5.0

One of the hardest books I've ever read. Morrison deals with unimaginable trauma in a beautifully complex way, unchaining the narrative from reality and bringing out a deeper, felt reality in the process.
I recommend this book to everyone and would only provide this warning--brace yourself!

rhaenqra's review against another edition

beloved is the spirit of a past that must be loved if one is to heal, even if it is unlovable and elusive. morrison confronts the uncanny, the "unspeakable unspoken," and reimagines the linearity of time and how this
linearity is used as an oppressive tool. i want to write an essay on this incredible novel.

"me and you, we got more yesterday than anybody. we need some kind of tomorrow."

winter_worshipper8's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

bookmarc_nl's review against another edition

3.0

So powerful, truly an important read. In a lot of ways the best book I’ve read about the atrocities of slavery in the US.
However, the writing style made it hard for me to get through or grow attached to the characters to feel the emotional impact I was expecting to feel.
But to be honest I’m not sure Beloved got a fair shot from me, as I probably wasn’t in the right headspace for it.

Definitely looking forward to checking out more Morrison!