gabesteller's review against another edition
5.0
truly one of the more original books I’ve ever read, alternating short stories an poems, but written in such a way that the shorts could also basically be poems too? The collection itself almost seemed like a poem in terms of leaving you with a feeling and a vibe and a sense of place rather than any particular story or poem standing out (with one truly bone-chilling exception). I would love to read something else like this although I can see it being a very difficult needle to thread.
Not every single one worked for me/went over my head (esp the final piece) but some really incredible and beguiling stuff. Loved loved loved Toomer’s way with language i basically wanted to read everything aloud.
Strangely hard to find quotes out of context that work but one of my favorites:
“The Cracks between the boards are black. These cracks are the lips the night winds use for whispering. Night winds in Georgia are vagrant poets.”
ahhh love it!
One thing I'd be curious for other perspectives on is Toomer’s depiction of women. A few stories center on women but theres a repeated theme of mysterious unknowable beauties, and beyond that just a lot of men fighting over women. While it makes sense on a lot of levels, sexual desire and competition obviously being a big point of tension and fascination then and now, and Toomer representing the other-ing in that well, I’d be curious if women see themselves in this work or if its more successful as a representation of male gaze.
(4.5 cuz the last one was tough and was like a full third of the book)
Not every single one worked for me/went over my head (esp the final piece) but some really incredible and beguiling stuff. Loved loved loved Toomer’s way with language i basically wanted to read everything aloud.
Strangely hard to find quotes out of context that work but one of my favorites:
“The Cracks between the boards are black. These cracks are the lips the night winds use for whispering. Night winds in Georgia are vagrant poets.”
ahhh love it!
One thing I'd be curious for other perspectives on is Toomer’s depiction of women. A few stories center on women but theres a repeated theme of mysterious unknowable beauties, and beyond that just a lot of men fighting over women. While it makes sense on a lot of levels, sexual desire and competition obviously being a big point of tension and fascination then and now, and Toomer representing the other-ing in that well, I’d be curious if women see themselves in this work or if its more successful as a representation of male gaze.
(4.5 cuz the last one was tough and was like a full third of the book)
cdhotwing's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
nicolesottiriou's review against another edition
2.0
There's so much going on in this book with little explanation or connection. At times, the writing was beautiful, but it was overshadowed by the constant ambiguity of the text. I could not pick up on any larger themes or points the author was trying to make. This is a book you'd have to read more than once to understand even remotely.
remigves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
faysak's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
2.5
the last part of the book was too hard for me to understand, but other than that i enjoyed the writing, imagery, and characterization. read it for a class on the harlem renaissance.
lindseylosers's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
madelynelizondo's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the prose/play/sonnet form of this piece and the way that it switched throughout each story. The vignettes were not only beautiful in composition, but also in format and structure.
theres_claire's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0