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murakamimami's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Man vs. nature is the main theme. Toni Morrison is such a beautiful, descriptive writer. I’m glad the characters had important discussions about race and I’m glad that Son ran free.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Domestic abuse
pulp's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
nappyreadjojoba's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Colonisation
mmatti300's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
In the beginning of Tar Baby, I was shocked by how uninterested I was and was thinking this would be my least favorite Toni Morrison yet. And yet, I kept going because I am in love with Toni Morrison and am on a mission to read every one of her works. (I mention this to note that I am incredibly biased towards loving this story). I thought it was going to be below Jazz in my rankings of the four I've read so far. But somewhere near the halfway point, I became entranced. I began to gel with Jadine, sympathize and root for Sydney and Odine. I almost cried over Valerian? I was confused by Son and wanted to love him, while also wanting to hate him. I felt the class consciousness that Toni knows and imbues in her work so well come through the surface. Basically, this is probably my second favorite Toni Morrison, right behind Sula and shockingly above Beloved(in the moment, by tomorrow I may not be feeling that way). So, for what it's worth, I loved it, I think it's worth sticking around for. I also think that this was one in which Morrison really explored the dynamics between Black and white people in a way that Jazz, Sula, and Beloved (the other three I've read) don't (while also exploring deeper Black relationships and dynamics). This one also didn't have Morrison's iconic birthing scenes or as much body horror as her others so it's a little more of an actual literary fiction in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Murder
namizaela's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"No man should live without absorbing the sins of his kind, the foul air of his innocence, even if it did wilt rows of angel trumpets and cause them to fall from their vines."
Reading Toni Morrison's writing is like indulging in a rich meal. She was a master of balancing plot, character, and symbolism. The beginning of this book was very slow and confusing, but from the middle to the end I was entranced by the tense situation she wrote for her characters, while also being in awe of the depth in her writing. In this book, Morrison portrays race and gender relations beautifully and with nuance, although she was not afraid to let her characters do low-down things. I loved this book, and if I had the time to analyze it all I would love it more.
Reading Toni Morrison's writing is like indulging in a rich meal. She was a master of balancing plot, character, and symbolism. The beginning of this book was very slow and confusing, but from the middle to the end I was entranced by the tense situation she wrote for her characters, while also being in awe of the depth in her writing. In this book, Morrison portrays race and gender relations beautifully and with nuance, although she was not afraid to let her characters do low-down things. I loved this book, and if I had the time to analyze it all I would love it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship