jlye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is hard for me to rate. On one hand, I love Toni Morrison’s writing. It’s beautiful and poetic. I felt a connection to the Pecola’s longing for blue eyes, because I wished for the same when I was a child. The inferiority complex resulting from tying beauty to western standards - blond hair, blue eyes, pale skin - resonated with me and my own struggles with self-esteem growing up in a white-dominated society. However, I cannot look past the characterization of Soaphead Church, particularly the implication that his pedophilia was the result of being a closeted homosexual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Racism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Incest, and Homophobia
mcyewfly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
Toni Morrison continues to demonstrate that her writing needs a classroom in order to appreciate every nuance fully.
My favorite part of Morrison’s writing style in this book is how often she shows the reader everything we need to know without telling us anything. The theme of beauty is captured so powerfully through long paragraphs interrupting the plot, but, naturally, no one ever says outright, “what beauty on display!” There’s just a strong poetic gut feeling that this description is beautiful. Then, it’s juxtaposed immediately with an ugly, disgusting plot the little girls must traverse. Of course those descriptions are short, snippy sentences to serve as another stark juxtaposition on what society values. And this isn’t even the primary juxtaposition Morrison weaves throughout the story!
The nuclear family trope—propping up Dick & Jane—also breaks up the plot at the start of each chapter, which consistently reminds the reader just how far the characters have strayed from what “ought to be.”
The prose itself has such a somber singsong approach itself. I noticed throughout the book specific sentences or paragraphs carrying rhymes or rhythms. Again, there’s so much more in this book, but this space isn’t enough.
The fact that a 12 year old is raped, twice, by her father, and then impregnated, but the characters only focus on the two of then being ugly and producing ugly children speaks to just how dehumanizing and disgusting racism makes people. Another brilliant display of the theme masterfully being shown through despicable people.
My favorite part of Morrison’s writing style in this book is how often she shows the reader everything we need to know without telling us anything. The theme of beauty is captured so powerfully through long paragraphs interrupting the plot, but, naturally, no one ever says outright, “what beauty on display!” There’s just a strong poetic gut feeling that this description is beautiful. Then, it’s juxtaposed immediately with an ugly, disgusting plot the little girls must traverse. Of course those descriptions are short, snippy sentences to serve as another stark juxtaposition on what society values. And this isn’t even the primary juxtaposition Morrison weaves throughout the story!
The nuclear family trope—propping up Dick & Jane—also breaks up the plot at the start of each chapter, which consistently reminds the reader just how far the characters have strayed from what “ought to be.”
The prose itself has such a somber singsong approach itself. I noticed throughout the book specific sentences or paragraphs carrying rhymes or rhythms. Again, there’s so much more in this book, but this space isn’t enough.
interrowhimper's review against another edition
5.0
A deeply unsettling read. Beautiful, heart rending prose. It’s gonna take me a while to wrap my head around how I feel about this one.
lilaccoconut_bookclub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely incredible, but not for the faint of heart (see content warnings). Toni Morrison paints a tragic picture of a black girl growing up in post-Depression, pre-Civil Rights Movement America whose surroundings and generational trauma lead her to self-loathing. Rather than being banned by schools, it should be part of the curriculum. The subject matter is heavy but it presents a very real reality for many POC, even today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Incest
thecheeseismoldy's review against another edition
5.0
I 100% love Toni Morrison, she's definitely underrated in my opinion.
The book the Bluest Eye is about the few perspectives in the black community contributing to the ugliness and destructiveness of society and societal beauty standards at the time. I can't say that all the characters contributed to society but most did. I found this book heartbreaking and yet liberating.
The book the Bluest Eye is about the few perspectives in the black community contributing to the ugliness and destructiveness of society and societal beauty standards at the time. I can't say that all the characters contributed to society but most did. I found this book heartbreaking and yet liberating.
dbellvm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
pmburns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
2.0