lilaceous's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
characters - ⭐️
plot - ⭐️
engaging to read - ⭐️
would recommend - ⭐️
would read again - ⭐️
so good.
so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Transphobia, and Rape
aliciawithoutkeys's review
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
waybeyondblue's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, and Racial slurs
michaelion's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is what those trendy bisexuals wish they mean when they say "he was written by a woman." Son is the only man this could ever apply to!!!
Something clicked for me as I was reading Song of Solomon, that I think really unlocked whatever was holding me back from fully understanding Ms. Morrison's books. Or maybe I just didn't like her first two, but something definitely clicked midway through the third. The same thing sparked again very early into this fourth book, and again I knew I'd love it! Ms. Morrison don't miss!!!
Spoilers for the end,
Something clicked for me as I was reading Song of Solomon, that I think really unlocked whatever was holding me back from fully understanding Ms. Morrison's books. Or maybe I just didn't like her first two, but something definitely clicked midway through the third. The same thing sparked again very early into this fourth book, and again I knew I'd love it! Ms. Morrison don't miss!!!
Spoilers for the end,
Spoiler
I like that they didn't end up together, but only because I'm a sucker for people returning to their roots, especially so if the roots have something to do with nature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Colonisation, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Rape, Stalking, Transphobia, War, and Adult/minor relationship
amerikanerin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse
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, Racism, Physical abuse, and Colonisation
magicalsocks's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.5
(8/8/21)
i am so happy i tackled this again after i picked it up in high school, read one chapter, and did not understand a thing. there’s still so much symbolism and metaphor that i know i missed - the moment i finished the last page i immediately flipped back to the beginning to start it again. i feel like the way toni morrison writes is conducive to rereads in a way that i have not found any other author to do as well as she does - she packs meaning and intent into every small detail, and i especially love the way she does character introductions, starting at a side detail usually in nature before sliding over imperceptively, usually in the middle of a sentence, to start talking about the character. i can picture a camera focusing on the birds flying around the trees on the estate and then slowly sliding over and refocusing on valerian sitting in the greenhouse. i do enjoy a good snappy introduction personally, but something about her style is so enjoyable to read. i feel like there’s so much trust and challenge put on the readers to put together the pieces of the novel, and it’s thrilling work.
i am so happy i tackled this again after i picked it up in high school, read one chapter, and did not understand a thing. there’s still so much symbolism and metaphor that i know i missed - the moment i finished the last page i immediately flipped back to the beginning to start it again. i feel like the way toni morrison writes is conducive to rereads in a way that i have not found any other author to do as well as she does - she packs meaning and intent into every small detail, and i especially love the way she does character introductions, starting at a side detail usually in nature before sliding over imperceptively, usually in the middle of a sentence, to start talking about the character. i can picture a camera focusing on the birds flying around the trees on the estate and then slowly sliding over and refocusing on valerian sitting in the greenhouse. i do enjoy a good snappy introduction personally, but something about her style is so enjoyable to read. i feel like there’s so much trust and challenge put on the readers to put together the pieces of the novel, and it’s thrilling work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Infidelity, and Slavery
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
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