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itsnotanna's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
sheherbooks's review against another edition
It was incredibly challenging to follow along with the dialect.
shawnie_s's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
rachelbug's review against another edition
3.75
Very surprised how feminism was viewed in this book. Very ahead of its time imo
sharkledmangle's review against another edition
5.0
Finishing this book as an audiobook was a fantastic decision. the way i was reading it did it such a serious disservice im almost angry at myself. such a wonderful, impactful, emotional story. its so special and i love it so much. ruby dee did such a fantastic job narrating!!!
odin45mp's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. Heartfelt. Vibrant. This is not a book I would have ever picked up. This is not a book I would have selected. Thanks to my library's book club, I experienced this story.
The thing that sticks to me the most is the language. It was difficult to read at times because the dialogue and the characters' inner thoughts are all reflected in Southern African-American English from the early 20th century. It does not read like my English. But it pulled me to its time and place and these people. It was at times like poetry. Hurston's prose was even more poetic than her dialogue. There are many lines that I could see quoted and framed above the mantel. She was a master wordsmith, and it shows here.
The plot follows a woman who grew up poor, who married into ambition and money, then after her husband died, marries into a life of adventure and contentment with what the day brings. Not my kind of story at all. But it is very human, and that humanity and that emotional energy sings through every page. This should be on reading lists in college. This should be on book club rotations to bring new readers to this work. This is a quintessential American novel.
The thing that sticks to me the most is the language. It was difficult to read at times because the dialogue and the characters' inner thoughts are all reflected in Southern African-American English from the early 20th century. It does not read like my English. But it pulled me to its time and place and these people. It was at times like poetry. Hurston's prose was even more poetic than her dialogue. There are many lines that I could see quoted and framed above the mantel. She was a master wordsmith, and it shows here.
The plot follows a woman who grew up poor, who married into ambition and money, then after her husband died, marries into a life of adventure and contentment with what the day brings. Not my kind of story at all. But it is very human, and that humanity and that emotional energy sings through every page. This should be on reading lists in college. This should be on book club rotations to bring new readers to this work. This is a quintessential American novel.
tashabell's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
rm1428's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
hberneking's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nattieb_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0