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A review by quenchgum
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
4.0
Four stars that were almost five.
Toni’s books are so haunting. This one starts slow and only kicks into a plot once it’s two thirds of the way through. It has a ton of symbolism that added pathos/meaning but that also made it feel kind of.. clunky. I appreciate the themes around flight and the power of a name/history, but Toni’s writing is what I love the most. She focused on male characters in this one but the limited narrative spaces that she did afford to women were blazes of light and compassion. I think - but am not sure- that this story is going to stick with me somehow. It feels significant. I guess I’m just going with the vibe I got from this, which was basically: Toni toni toni and don’t forget Milkman and Guitar when you leave home. You don’t want to forget them. And don’t forget Pilate, too. And her earring and the snuffbox and how she could fly without leaving the ground. Oof. I’m trying to get like you.
These thoughts procured under the influence of ZZZquil: the perfect choice of medicine for those that needed to fall asleep ninety minutes ago but decided to finish this book instead. May we all gracefully pass out immediately after our reviews are written.
Toni’s books are so haunting. This one starts slow and only kicks into a plot once it’s two thirds of the way through. It has a ton of symbolism that added pathos/meaning but that also made it feel kind of.. clunky. I appreciate the themes around flight and the power of a name/history, but Toni’s writing is what I love the most. She focused on male characters in this one but the limited narrative spaces that she did afford to women were blazes of light and compassion. I think - but am not sure- that this story is going to stick with me somehow. It feels significant. I guess I’m just going with the vibe I got from this, which was basically: Toni toni toni and don’t forget Milkman and Guitar when you leave home. You don’t want to forget them. And don’t forget Pilate, too. And her earring and the snuffbox and how she could fly without leaving the ground. Oof. I’m trying to get like you.
These thoughts procured under the influence of ZZZquil: the perfect choice of medicine for those that needed to fall asleep ninety minutes ago but decided to finish this book instead. May we all gracefully pass out immediately after our reviews are written.