Having just read this - this review is perfect! You have captured so eloquently the tension and horror that is on the page. I’m slightly intimidated at the thought of having to review this myself in the coming days. Because right now there are no words!
I saw the movie at a young age -- lets say I was scarred.
I have the ebook, yet I am afraid to open the page. I research Black History, the good, bad and the ugly, BUT why is this book so hard for me to reckon with? Did you know how she got the idea for this story? It was from a newspaper clipping she found; I believe most of her novels are based on true events, but then she makes them into her own work of art.
I love Mama Toni, she is so complex, never writing for just anyone, only a complex person can love and grow to understand her. Songs of Solomon was the first I read, it was quite difficult at first. Once you read Toni you can never not read her again, even when I am stuck on my own writings, i listen to her interviews. Her voice is calming and makes me feel like I can master anything. Tar Baby is my favorite and The Source of Self-Regard. From this book of essays I will be quoting several points that she made :)
Jazz is my next favorite after Tar Baby — I don’t think I’ve read them in the order when they were released, I skip around. Paradise is also based on what she thought was a true story, but I think later she found out it wasn’t, I tired to listen to that audiobook — I need the hardcopy!!
'Beloved is a book that needs to be savored. This read was an uncomfortable necessity. As you read, you feel as though you’re drowning. You, as the reader, feel as helpless, haunted, and hunted as the characters feel.' Yulani you've summarised my reading experience PERFECTLY here. I read this before and during undergrad and there was a sensation akin to being drowned as we got deeper into the book but also from the first few pages. Amazing amazing review.
Having just read this - this review is perfect! You have captured so eloquently the tension and horror that is on the page. I’m slightly intimidated at the thought of having to review this myself in the coming days. Because right now there are no words!
Thank you so much! I definitely had to sit with it for a few days after reading it.
I saw the movie at a young age -- lets say I was scarred.
I have the ebook, yet I am afraid to open the page. I research Black History, the good, bad and the ugly, BUT why is this book so hard for me to reckon with? Did you know how she got the idea for this story? It was from a newspaper clipping she found; I believe most of her novels are based on true events, but then she makes them into her own work of art.
I love Mama Toni, she is so complex, never writing for just anyone, only a complex person can love and grow to understand her. Songs of Solomon was the first I read, it was quite difficult at first. Once you read Toni you can never not read her again, even when I am stuck on my own writings, i listen to her interviews. Her voice is calming and makes me feel like I can master anything. Tar Baby is my favorite and The Source of Self-Regard. From this book of essays I will be quoting several points that she made :)
I found out it was based on a true story after I read it while watching interviews. My heart dropped! I think my next Morrison may be 'Jazz'!
Jazz is my next favorite after Tar Baby — I don’t think I’ve read them in the order when they were released, I skip around. Paradise is also based on what she thought was a true story, but I think later she found out it wasn’t, I tired to listen to that audiobook — I need the hardcopy!!
'Beloved is a book that needs to be savored. This read was an uncomfortable necessity. As you read, you feel as though you’re drowning. You, as the reader, feel as helpless, haunted, and hunted as the characters feel.' Yulani you've summarised my reading experience PERFECTLY here. I read this before and during undergrad and there was a sensation akin to being drowned as we got deeper into the book but also from the first few pages. Amazing amazing review.
Thank you so so much ❤️. The reading experience was crazy and I still loved it so much.