A review by nadia
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

challenging dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first Morrison novel as an adult! I've only read Beloved, and that was as a teen. Now I've decided to work my way through her books chronologically.

In The Bluest Eye, Morrison asks: What did it mean to be young, poor, black, "ugly", rejected, and unloved in 20th Century America?  What is beauty, and what happens when your own is invisible to you?

This was a dark, heavy, and uncomfortable read. A lot was packed into these 200-odd pages, especially characters with actions and thoughts that make you want to look away at times. Yet, the beautiful, lyrical writing was a joy to consume and certainly made me want to keep on turning the pages.

I'm looking forward to more of Morrison's work!

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