A review by bookwormlukas
Jazz by Toni Morrison

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Despite the rather attention grabbing plot summary above, Morrison’s fifth novel, ‘Jazz’ is probably one of her quietist to date. Focusing more on the reactions as opposed to the specific actions listed above, ‘Jazz’ is a novel that tries to dissect the why instead of the how as we look into Joe’s relationship with his wife and mistress, and the slightly altered mind of his wife Violet.

As far as ranking it in conjunction with the rest of Morrison’s work, I would probably place ‘Jazz’ on the lower side - but still well above ‘Tar Baby’, the Morrison which I guess I liked the least (despite their still being things to love). While I enjoyed aspects of this novel - such as Violets broken mind and her interactions with the lady of a house in her neighbourhood - it can also feel a little disjointed (just like Jazz, huzzah) as it tiptoes around the main issues that you want to be dissected in exchange for quieter moments that don’t manage to pack the same punch.

The second half of the novel also veers into sort of familiar Morrison territory too - as we unnecessarily recount Joes family history (reminiscent of one of my issues with ‘Tar Baby’) creating a novel that almost goes out of its way to focus on the plot at hand.

As with any Morrison novel, the strength here is the writing itself as opposed to where the story goes - and I’d be wrong to say that this novel mostly hits. Had I not read any other Morrison, I’m wondering how I’d rate this alone, as it is, comparing it to the rest of her work, a 3.5 feels appropriate.