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teresatumminello's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Reread
Like [b:Sula|11346|Sula|Toni Morrison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441578153l/11346._SY75_.jpg|3207953], Love has at its core a female friendship forged when the two are children. In Sula the question of if and how adults might’ve shaped the title character is left open-ended. Not here. Harm has been definitively perpetrated by selfish adults—patriarchs and enabling women, arguably even one that has information no one else does. (I first read this when it was published in 2003 and I couldn’t help but think of how close the name of the powerful man all these women seem to love, Bill Cosey, is to the name of a famous real man. I don’t know if that was Morrison’s intention, but later I couldn’t help but wonder if she sensed something most of us didn’t.)
Like in Sula we’re left to wonder how different the two friends, though they're from opposite sides of the socioeconomic scale, truly are—and if the adult interventions into their childhood bond have made the former friends more alike than not in their subsequent rivalry and hatred. Like in [b:Paradise|5198|Paradise (Beloved Trilogy, #3)|Toni Morrison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558921210l/5198._SX50_.jpg|2458248] Morrison leaves the two unnamed at a crucial time and we’re left without a clear answer as to which woman is which.
Speaking of a paradise, snake imagery reveals the inner states of several characters. The perspectives of these characters arecorrected augmented by a first-person narrator that starts and ends the book. She narrates a few additional sections; other characters think and speak of her as well. Though she’s a minor player in one way, the others sense her power. While this woman saying “I’ll tell” seems mysteriously threatening at the time she says it, the words have a later force. They also point to the way Morrison has chosen to narrate the novel: a story of how a story is told running alongside the other stories.
The title of the book is a word that is referenced, yet unsaid, in two powerful instances. It’s stated once when it’s truly meant.
Reread
Like [b:Sula|11346|Sula|Toni Morrison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441578153l/11346._SY75_.jpg|3207953], Love has at its core a female friendship forged when the two are children. In Sula the question of if and how adults might’ve shaped the title character is left open-ended. Not here. Harm has been definitively perpetrated by selfish adults—patriarchs and enabling women, arguably even one that has information no one else does. (I first read this when it was published in 2003 and I couldn’t help but think of how close the name of the powerful man all these women seem to love, Bill Cosey, is to the name of a famous real man. I don’t know if that was Morrison’s intention, but later I couldn’t help but wonder if she sensed something most of us didn’t.)
Like in Sula we’re left to wonder how different the two friends, though they're from opposite sides of the socioeconomic scale, truly are—and if the adult interventions into their childhood bond have made the former friends more alike than not in their subsequent rivalry and hatred. Like in [b:Paradise|5198|Paradise (Beloved Trilogy, #3)|Toni Morrison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558921210l/5198._SX50_.jpg|2458248] Morrison leaves the two unnamed at a crucial time and we’re left without a clear answer as to which woman is which.
Speaking of a paradise, snake imagery reveals the inner states of several characters. The perspectives of these characters are
The title of the book is a word that is referenced, yet unsaid, in two powerful instances. It’s stated once when it’s truly meant.
eralbesu's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Toni Morrison was extremely good at writing a compelling story that subtly shocks you. Heed and Christine deserved better.
blueisthenewpink's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Through chapters of love, portrait, friend, stranger, benefactor, lover, husband, guardian, father and phantom, the stories of a couple of characters are gradually drawn to eventually become a breathtaking painting.
Starting from a present-day situation, the reader is given more and more details about each character. They are not only three dimensional, they are flesh and blood and memories and feelings, reminiscing about hardships and traumas with an indifference, probably to protect themselves. However, these shields fall away once they open themselves up to vulnerability again.
Nothing is certain, no one is good or bad, it is impossible to root for anyone but one character, who doesn't even play the most central part. They are human, with flaws and virtues, strengths and weaknesses, very well understood and accepted and loved by the overwhelming empathy of the author. I will certainly miss this wise calm voice for some time.
Starting from a present-day situation, the reader is given more and more details about each character. They are not only three dimensional, they are flesh and blood and memories and feelings, reminiscing about hardships and traumas with an indifference, probably to protect themselves. However, these shields fall away once they open themselves up to vulnerability again.
Spoiler
There are only two instances of disturbing events happening in the time of the narration, not remembered. These two are absolutely gut-wrenching, all the others are told as memories, sometimes decades old, other times happening only a few years before, with an emotional and temporal distance keeping the characters and the readers safe from emotions not easily contained.Nothing is certain, no one is good or bad, it is impossible to root for anyone but one character, who doesn't even play the most central part. They are human, with flaws and virtues, strengths and weaknesses, very well understood and accepted and loved by the overwhelming empathy of the author. I will certainly miss this wise calm voice for some time.
bengriffiths's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
catflapper's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
soupyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
rochelle03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.75
Morrison truly is a master of the gothic! Would be 4 stars if the book was not such a slog to get through due to its at times confusing structure. However I understand why the timeline was so chaotic/ opaque at first and the longer it went on the more I could appreciate her construction of the story. Gorgeous prose, haunting scenes especially towards the end. Had my mouth hanging open at parts. Don't know if I could read it again for the first time but very glad I got through it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
rhemajoy's review against another edition
5.0
devastating but relevant piece that ultimately focuses on the link between generational trauma and love. told with concise but gripping prose, toni’s work is meant to be reread, savored and rehashed again.