njohnson246's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
A very unique and beautiful book. I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded slowly and painted such a clear picture of someone’s life. The way this book explored love, identity, and growth was thought provoking and timeless.
peytonsurp's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
glabour's review against another edition
I read this a long time ago; I think it was my freshman year of high school. If I remember correctly, I think there's a big flood and a guy gets bitten by a rabid dog. Then, the guy goes crazy because he can't have water. What happens to the dog? What happens to the guy? Who is the main character? I forget all these things. I think I enjoyed it at the time; at least I think I enjoyed it as much as you can enjoy a book where you frantically write in the margins "Interesting," "I like this," and "?" to get full credit.
One time while reading this book in class, a kid named Miles raised his hand and asked why a woman's buttocks was described as two watermelons. Watermelons, he said, are too big to be a woman's behind. The teacher then turned around and told Miles that nobody questioned the size of his grape-sized testicles.
Good times.
One time while reading this book in class, a kid named Miles raised his hand and asked why a woman's buttocks was described as two watermelons. Watermelons, he said, are too big to be a woman's behind. The teacher then turned around and told Miles that nobody questioned the size of his grape-sized testicles.
Good times.
mpalma24's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookster09's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
sad
fast-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
3.0
misspalah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Janie tried that, but short of telling Mrs. Turner bluntly, there was nothing she could do to discourage her completely. She felt honored by Janie's acquaintance and she quickly forgave and forgot snubs in order to keep it. Anyone who looked more white folkish than herself was better than she was in her criteria, therefore it was right that they should be cruel to her at times, just as she was cruel to those more negroid than herself in direct ratio to their negroness. Like the pecking-order in a chicken yard. Insensate cruelty to those you can whip, and grovelling submission to those you can't. Once having set up her idols and built altars to them it was inevitable that she would worship there. It was inevitable that she should accept any inconsistency and cruelty from her deity as all good worshippers do from theirs. All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood.
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
.
.
How does one perceive that what’s Janie and Tea Cake have between them is real love when all i see is manipulation, gaslighting and power trip? I am sorry to say this BUT all of the black men in the novel is a horrible bunch and even Logan, to whom to i would like to give him credit for not beating Janie like Joe Starks and Tea Cake which despite that still a shitty husband for threatening Janie. I know this is a social commentary disguised as a novel. Zora Neale Hurston intentionally wanted to show how Black Women has been used a tool to elevate and affirm Black men egotistical and Machismo self. Its more of ‘I beat my woman and she didn’t say a thing’ thus i am an Alpha Man and Assertive Husband. Black Woman has been enduring and tolerating this despite knowing that this shouldn’t happen. Realistically, this novel was great. There’s nothing wrong with the plot and characters development. Zora was a brilliant writer - one fact that i should’ve reiterated. However, this book was such an exhausting read. I hated that Janie put her self worth on Male Validation and Affection. I hated that despite this book being published in the 70s, the modern black literature at least in literary fiction genre, you still see this ‘woman as mule’ as major theme. Even your body has been bruised and manipulated so man can get what they want, your pride is being diminished, your self worth is being crushed, as long as there’s man by your side - i guess that’s love. We can go over the fact that Janie was denied love after all she is a product of rape , her mom left her with her grandmother after giving birth to her and her grandmother didn’t really shower her with affection. It justified why she never stopped believing that man can give her love and emotional attachment despite being treated horribly particularly by her second and third husband. The only time she took back her life, dignity, sense of herself when she defended herself against Teacake. And we only got that at the end of the book. I will not labelled this a feminist literature , i am sure some got reason to label it as such - but its a NO for me. Overall, this is still an important read. I dislike the book but I would give this 4 simply because Its Zora Neale Hurston.
hollydunndesign's review against another edition
4.0
Hurston’s writing is exquisite and unlike anything I’ve read before. There is some contrast between the dialogue that is a phonetic rendering of the southern black accent and the lyrical descriptions, but both are equally rich and poetic. It follows a headstrong young woman called Janie as she navigates three consecutive relationships and searches for her own identity in the process.
nm_young's review against another edition
2.0
⭐⭐
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
Not a book for me and not one I would recommend. It didn’t hold my interest, and probably felt more of a chore to get through. Not completely terrible, but I didn’t have a good experience. This book was an enjoyable read, but there are several things I wish were done differently.
lex_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75