moonlit_zdrasti's review against another edition
5.0
By the final page, my mind was swept clean of emotion and left wordless and blank in reverie, and in that blank space of undulating and endless desolation, one could see piles of marigold leaves drifting here to there in a wind that was nothing.
planetschmanet's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think I have the literary vocabulary to properly review this book. It was stunning, beautiful, violent, heartbreaking, and important. It evaluates what it means to be beautiful juxtaposed with the harsh reality of life and relationships. The ending was brutal and sad and lovely. I read Song of Solomon in high school, this made me add the rest of her works to my tbr.
annacroom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
itz_guntz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
greyemk's review against another edition
4.25
This is a debut novel - by a world-class writer - but still a debut.
I don’t think there’s much I can say about this that’s insightful. The prose here is astonishing, and I had such a visceral experience of reading this, especially the climactic scene. A lot is captured in this little book. It does so well the psychology of experiencing racism, and the kaleidoscope of responses in a short book with not very many characters.
The weakness is the structure - which Ms. Morrison references in the introduction - it’s fragmented. I understand why it’s written this way and the shifting perspectives didn’t bother me as much as they usually would because of the writing - she can do so much in so few pages - but it makes for a confusing first read.
Beloved is better, but it’s been a few years since I read it, and I’m glad for the reminder that yes Toni Morrison is just that good.
I don’t think there’s much I can say about this that’s insightful. The prose here is astonishing, and I had such a visceral experience of reading this, especially the climactic scene. A lot is captured in this little book. It does so well the psychology of experiencing racism, and the kaleidoscope of responses in a short book with not very many characters.
The weakness is the structure - which Ms. Morrison references in the introduction - it’s fragmented. I understand why it’s written this way and the shifting perspectives didn’t bother me as much as they usually would because of the writing - she can do so much in so few pages - but it makes for a confusing first read.
Beloved is better, but it’s been a few years since I read it, and I’m glad for the reminder that yes Toni Morrison is just that good.
sakritamaharjan's review against another edition
4.0
The bluest eye is so perceptive on matters related to poverty, racism and self hatred.
ykhashab's review against another edition
3.0
maybe i haven’t read classic lit in a while: this was good! but convoluted for why???
mckellstar's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 stars
Wow... This was a very intense, heavy, beautiful, and heartbreaking read. I knew very little about the plot, and I’m glad because it allowed me to go into the book with a blank slate. I have so many thoughts and questions about the themes and issues this book raises, but I think this is the kind of book that you need to take the time to reflect upon after reading. It took me a little to understand the writing style; I wasn’t sure what to expect because this was my first time reading a Toni Morrison book, but once I got used to her tone and style it was very easy for me to follow. This book was heart wrenching but SO IMPORTANT. I’m glad I read it, and I think this would have been an amazing book to read as a high school student.
Wow... This was a very intense, heavy, beautiful, and heartbreaking read. I knew very little about the plot, and I’m glad because it allowed me to go into the book with a blank slate. I have so many thoughts and questions about the themes and issues this book raises, but I think this is the kind of book that you need to take the time to reflect upon after reading. It took me a little to understand the writing style; I wasn’t sure what to expect because this was my first time reading a Toni Morrison book, but once I got used to her tone and style it was very easy for me to follow. This book was heart wrenching but SO IMPORTANT. I’m glad I read it, and I think this would have been an amazing book to read as a high school student.