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lilyschaffer's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jamuckley's review against another edition
5.0
"Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves."
I have read over a hundred books this year. I have read some classics and some modern futuristic tales, but this book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," first published in 1937, by Zora Neale Hurston was the best book thus far.
It is probably the best book I have read in several years.
Ruby Dee's performance of the audiobook was phenomenal.
This book was deep. It was not an easy book to read. It was rife with racism, jealousy, domestic violence, and at times it was hard to continue.
I am glad I persisted. This book was filled with meaning. Ms. Hurston invites readers into the life and three marriages of Janie Crawford. The story is an epic journey of one woman's perilous quest of self-discovery. The main theme of this story is about finding your voice, about standing up for yourself and your needs, and about not settling in this life, instead living life to the full despite society's expectations.
I definitely recommend this powerful book for anyone looking to be inspired.
I have read over a hundred books this year. I have read some classics and some modern futuristic tales, but this book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," first published in 1937, by Zora Neale Hurston was the best book thus far.
It is probably the best book I have read in several years.
Ruby Dee's performance of the audiobook was phenomenal.
This book was deep. It was not an easy book to read. It was rife with racism, jealousy, domestic violence, and at times it was hard to continue.
I am glad I persisted. This book was filled with meaning. Ms. Hurston invites readers into the life and three marriages of Janie Crawford. The story is an epic journey of one woman's perilous quest of self-discovery. The main theme of this story is about finding your voice, about standing up for yourself and your needs, and about not settling in this life, instead living life to the full despite society's expectations.
I definitely recommend this powerful book for anyone looking to be inspired.
elizagrim's review against another edition
2.0
There are some passages of stunning, gem like clarity and subtlety but I found the shenanigans and accents detracted from the message.
sarah_west's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jessbask's review against another edition
5.0
I now understand why this book is such a classic and why Zora Neale Hurston and her work are inspirations for many Black women writers. The prose, the voice, the storytelling, and the themes were so powerful and enveloping that I’ve found myself thinking about them days after finishing. (And that ending tho????) I’m frustrated with how long it took me to read this book from beginning to end since it was such an incredible story.
mcrocus4's review against another edition
5.0
Hurston wrote a classic so I figured I was required to read it, but it took about 10 pages for me to get totally lost in her Floridian masterpiece. In relationship after relationship, our hero Janie grows through and goes through just about everything.
This is a book for lovers of beautiful writing, anyone interested in the rural and coastal south, readers who have the patience/inclination to enjoy great dialect, and American culture scholars.
This is a book for lovers of beautiful writing, anyone interested in the rural and coastal south, readers who have the patience/inclination to enjoy great dialect, and American culture scholars.
hannahgshowalter's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5
An important story touching on how the systems of sexism and racism interact with love. Great book.