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m_cant_read's review against another edition
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
3.25
I liked the book enough, but out of all the books that I have read for school, it was not one of my favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
missmarguerita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
booksnart2023's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Animal death
kaynova's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racism
shay43geek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
cielosiluminado's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was probably one of the few classics i actually enjoyed to read when i was in high school. then i remembered writing a paper on it when i took women’s literature in college and got such high marks in it, i was so proud. it’s been over 5 years since i last read this and i decided to pick it up again for my monthly classic of 2024.
prior to first reading this book years ago, i dreaded it because the title made me think it was going to be religious, which i avoid in books. once i read it, i quickly realized that it is not religious. it’s a fantastic, metaphorical tale of a black woman’s life in the early 1900s in southern usa and her search for independence.
truly, hurston’s writing is incredible. there is a reason why she is now regarded as one of the greats. in this book, the way she wrote janie (the main character) and her life’s journey throughout the story is detailed magnificently.
that being said, despite how much i loved it at first i have to admit, somehow i overlooked something in my first reads back then that i cannot even begin to justify now.
prior to first reading this book years ago, i dreaded it because the title made me think it was going to be religious, which i avoid in books. once i read it, i quickly realized that it is not religious. it’s a fantastic, metaphorical tale of a black woman’s life in the early 1900s in southern usa and her search for independence.
truly, hurston’s writing is incredible. there is a reason why she is now regarded as one of the greats. in this book, the way she wrote janie (the main character) and her life’s journey throughout the story is detailed magnificently.
that being said, despite how much i loved it at first i have to admit, somehow i overlooked something in my first reads back then that i cannot even begin to justify now.
He slapped her around a bit to show he was boss.
janie having survived in two horrible, abusive marriages before she was even 30 made me root for her love life so much. she then gave it another shot with tea cake later on in her life, which was a gamble she bravely took. i was a fan of tea cake and the way he loved janie until chapter 17 where he hit her because of his own fears and jealousy and because it made him feel more secure as a man. i had to lower my rating because of it. like the justifications/explanations in the story were dumb as hell and everyone just moves on? big sigh.
at the end of the day, i just wanted janie to have her happily ever after everything she went through. and she did, by herself. she constantly defied expectations to gain her freedom and independence, remained fierce despite all the struggles she faced, and was unapologetically herself until the end. i admire her to this day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Rape, and Slavery
puddles_of_ink's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Violence
florenceassetto's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
i bought this book AGES ago after reading zadie smith's essay on it (which is now the intro for it!) and it definitely lived up to expectations. usually i hate classics but i think that the fact it was unapologetically black, in style and dialogue and substance, made it a lot easier to read. hurston writes in a way where i felt very close to janie and i feel her feelings and hope for what she wants. i definitely think that the strengths of the book lie in the fact that the way that hurston writes about love (or things akin to it) is something else! it feels so so so natural to see janie and tea cake grow together and i really enjoyed seeing janie become her own person. the ending of this book really is something else, but i really enjoying the pacing and atmosphere that is created there, in a way that is different to much of the book. this is definitely a classic for a reason, and i book i would like to study, let alone just read again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
narrnaul's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
an absolute classic.
i haven’t read the physical book in a while so i made sure i took my time - i’m just so grateful this book exists. there are so many layers in this book and it nearly perfectly encapsulates so many facets of Black womanhood. from colorism to elitism to love to misogynoir to self-actualization - hurston manages to create such a realistic and fully fleshed world in such a short amount of pages.
for me, this book is the closest thing to perfection. i hope to find my horizon one day and fasten its glory around my shoulders.
five stars. thank you zora 🫶🏾
i haven’t read the physical book in a while so i made sure i took my time - i’m just so grateful this book exists. there are so many layers in this book and it nearly perfectly encapsulates so many facets of Black womanhood. from colorism to elitism to love to misogynoir to self-actualization - hurston manages to create such a realistic and fully fleshed world in such a short amount of pages.
for me, this book is the closest thing to perfection. i hope to find my horizon one day and fasten its glory around my shoulders.
five stars. thank you zora 🫶🏾
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Rape
abigailcooper's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
i honestly didn’t think this would be a book i’d cry over, and then i got to the last quarter of the book. my heart hurts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Racism