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A review by michaelion
Love by Toni Morrison
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Sula and Nel, the people of Ruby, Oklahoma, and Violet, Joe, and Dorcas all culminate in this excellently written book, as usual for Miss Morrison, but, just like Jazz, it wasn't for me. And for similar reasons. However, I do like this one more. Probably because it focuses a bit more on the women than it does the man who scorned himself.
The only reason why I'm comparing the books is because I asked myself why am I giving Love a higher rating than I gave Jazz despite the fact that I liked more elements in Jazz than I did in Love? It's because what I liked in Jazz wasn't central to the main story,the back story involving Wild and Golden Gray, mostly, as well as Joe and Violet's history, meanwhile in Love it's all there. Meant to be absorbed at once. The gaps and pieces meant to be glued together or filled in complete everyone's story. The friends / sisters turned enemies are one and the same, not self made victims (like Joe). Something about power dynamics I guess, I think. Anyway.
The only reason why I'm comparing the books is because I asked myself why am I giving Love a higher rating than I gave Jazz despite the fact that I liked more elements in Jazz than I did in Love? It's because what I liked in Jazz wasn't central to the main story,
Graphic: Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Bullying, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Minor: Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, War, and Slavery