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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
After having read Morrison for school I knew that I was interested in the political themes of her writing and her work as an editor of basically every influential black writer of the time. But I think because of the stress of an academic setting, and possibly from a lack of maturity, I didn’t really retain and connect to her actual prose in the way I am now. All of the intensity and rawness of The Bluest Eye was there, but there were spiritual connections to nature, the Bible, and to African spiritualism as well. I think these themes are not only there as a literary tool but as historical context for the lives that recently freed and escaped slaves lived. Even if trauma has taken away and distorted their ancestral connections to their homeland it still guides their way of living. I also found it so interesting how Morrison explores memory and trauma through botany.
Knew this going into reading Beloved that it would be jaw-dropping, because Toni Morrison is an unparalleled writer, but wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a brilliant use of cyclical imagery. You find shadows and hints of so many different images (turnips, necks, blood, birth, red; just off the top of my head) and each one sheds new light on the way trauma for Black folks is shared and reinvents itself in every new life. And the use of horror as a genre/literary device (one which is typically looked down upon in literature) to echo the horror of racism/slavery? Brilliant. And, side note, the fact that this doesn’t have a higher average rating is reason #193792 why I don’t trust Goodreads scores when it comes to my reading list lol. In what universe. Anyway. Beloved is brilliant and deserves the spot it has in the literary cannon.
The book is a masterpiece obviously, but … GOODREADS -STOP TRYING TO MAKE A SERIES OUT OF BOOKS THAT AREN’T PART OF A SERIES!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
My first Toni and this book felt like a fever dream. Though I enjoyed the overall story at many points in the vol I was lost in the sauce not understanding a single thing. One chapter completely lacks punctuation and I have yet to understand why / what is going on in it. Boy oh boy this was a long read will come back to Toni in a while but not now.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a masterpiece! This book offers an unflinching look at slavery and its lasting psychological impact. It delves into the horrors and consequences of America's darkest institution with raw, vivid prose that feels remarkably alive despite being steeped in themes of death and suffering. The narrative is complex and layered, weaving between different timelines and perspectives in a way that can sometimes be challenging to follow. I’ll be honest there were moments where I didn't fully grasp what was happening, but the parts I did understand were deeply moving and powerful. Morrison's use of magical realism creates a haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the story's exploration of trauma, memory, and the supernatural. What's most impressive is how, despite confronting such profound pain and darkness, the novel never abandons hope entirely.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes