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amandasbookreview 's review for:
The Bluest Eye
by Toni Morrison
“Certain seeds it will not nurture, certain fruit it will not bear and when the land kills of its own volition, we acquiesce and say the victim had no right to live”
THE BLUEST EYE BY TONI MORRISON
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is actually my first Toni Morrison book. I have been a reader all my life and took so many lit classes in college and somehow I have never had the opportunity to read this book until now.
This book begins in 1941 and is the story of Pecola. However, the book changes points-of-view throughout the story. One of the points-of-view is Claudia, the daughter of Pecola’s foster parents. Pecola is placed in foster care after her father burns down their house. Pecola’s circumstances have made her believe that she is ugly and she desires blue eyes. With blue eyes, she will beautiful like the other white girls in her city.
This is a relatively short novel, at only 200 pages but it makes its point. This book discusses race, internalized racism, abuse, class, family, and innocence. This novel is tragic. This book shows just how awful and cruel racism is. Pecola is ashamed of her skin and her looks because society tells her that the most beautiful girls have blonde hair and blue eyes. This has an impact on how she views herself and more importantly her worth. This book was published in 1970 and our society still portrays beauty in that way. We need to do better as a society so every girl feels beautiful, comfortable, and worthy in her own skin.
There is also the themes of sexual assault. The sexual abuse that Pecola endures is extremely difficult to read. The hurt and pain, along with the shame and loss of innocence is described extremely well.
The points-of-view changes did through me off a few times, but they are a necessary part of the story. This isn’t a “light” read. It will weigh heavily on your heart, but you need to pay attention and learn. The prose is outstanding. I can honestly say I have never read anything like it. It flows perfectly. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend this read and will be purchasing more Toni Morrison books in the future.
THE BLUEST EYE BY TONI MORRISON
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison is actually my first Toni Morrison book. I have been a reader all my life and took so many lit classes in college and somehow I have never had the opportunity to read this book until now.
This book begins in 1941 and is the story of Pecola. However, the book changes points-of-view throughout the story. One of the points-of-view is Claudia, the daughter of Pecola’s foster parents. Pecola is placed in foster care after her father burns down their house. Pecola’s circumstances have made her believe that she is ugly and she desires blue eyes. With blue eyes, she will beautiful like the other white girls in her city.
This is a relatively short novel, at only 200 pages but it makes its point. This book discusses race, internalized racism, abuse, class, family, and innocence. This novel is tragic. This book shows just how awful and cruel racism is. Pecola is ashamed of her skin and her looks because society tells her that the most beautiful girls have blonde hair and blue eyes. This has an impact on how she views herself and more importantly her worth. This book was published in 1970 and our society still portrays beauty in that way. We need to do better as a society so every girl feels beautiful, comfortable, and worthy in her own skin.
There is also the themes of sexual assault. The sexual abuse that Pecola endures is extremely difficult to read. The hurt and pain, along with the shame and loss of innocence is described extremely well.
The points-of-view changes did through me off a few times, but they are a necessary part of the story. This isn’t a “light” read. It will weigh heavily on your heart, but you need to pay attention and learn. The prose is outstanding. I can honestly say I have never read anything like it. It flows perfectly. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend this read and will be purchasing more Toni Morrison books in the future.