I guess I have a bit of an understanding of all the complaining. The reviews for "Love" were so lackluster that I was almost scared to read it, fearing it would knock Toni Morrison off her (well, my) pedestal. But I needn't have worried. This isn't Morrison at her absolute best. It's not "Song of Solomon" or "Beloved," but even eighty or ninety percent of Toni Morrison is better than one hundred and twenty percent of almost anyone else.

All over the world, traitors contribute to progress. It's like being exposed to tuberculosis. After it fills the cemetery, it makes the survivors stronger; it helps them distinguish between a strong mind and a healthy one, between the righteous and the right - which is, after all, progress. The problem for those left alive is what to do about revenge - how to avoid the sweet rot of it. So you can see why families make the best enemies.

Not many authors could measure up to that. But Toni does. "Love" delves into the history of a neighborhood, a country, a race, a family, and several lives, all interconnected with an intensity born of love and nourished by hatred. Heed (full name Heed the Night) and Christine are elderly ladies in a house inherited from a common patriarch. Which one of them is the true heir is unclear, but neither will give up the house or the bitterness, whether about their situation or towards each other.

Then comes one of those characters - girls - that Morrison adores. Junior Viviane ("With an 'e.' Are you loving the names?") - she won't let anyone call her June - seemingly appears out of nowhere. She's in the scene but not of it, outside any human or natural law, and born to cause chaos wherever she lands.

Now, again, this is Morrison, so we know to expect the supernatural or spiritual voices. And we get them. The truth? I'm not sure who one or two of them are. But the voices are haunting and true, guiding us through the whirlwind of time and emotion back to the beginning of the period covered by the book. Little by little, of course. We don't learn everything at once. It wouldn't be good for us, like looking directly at the face of God.

When our two-hundred-page journey is over and this part of the story has played out as much as it will this time, we're left with that Morrison feeling of walking out of a fantasy into a foreign place - call it daylight - where the edges are sharp, things are as they seem, and facts are as solid as stone. During the journey, however, nothing quite made sense, and yet everything did. It was terrible for a fifty-plus man to marry an eleven-year-old girl. But you understood it. It wasn't right, but you understood it. In the sunlight, it can't be considered, let alone forgiven. You had to be there. The same goes for half the things Junior does. We're glad to find a stabilizing influence like Sandler in the neighborhood, but too much of him would disrupt the story, and it's the story that matters as much as real life. And that may be the point of Morrison's Nobel Prize. The story, the myth, the tale, is as important as living it, may even determine how it's lived and, in turn, how it's told. And like the line about not being able to tell the dancer from the dance, in the end, you may not be able to tell the person from his story, or one from the other. Enchantment.

Toni Morrison is a highly accomplished and renowned author who truly knows how to write an ending.

Her endings are not just simple conclusions but rather powerful and thought-provoking finales that leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Morrison has a unique ability to bring together all the threads of the story, tying them up in a way that is both satisfying and profound.

She has the skill to create an ending that not only resolves the plot but also reveals deeper meanings and themes, making the reader reflect on the story long after they have finished reading.

Whether it is a tragic or a hopeful ending, Morrison always manages to make it feel authentic and true to the characters and the story.

Her endings are a testament to her great talent as a writer and her ability to craft stories that are both engaging and meaningful.

Love by Toni Morrison is a complex and engaging novel that, like Sula, has a female friendship at its core. The friendship is formed in childhood, but the actions of selfish adults have a profound impact on the two friends. In Sula, the question of adult influence is left open-ended, but in Love, it is clear that harm has been perpetrated. The character of Bill Cosey, whom many of the women seem to love, has a name that is similar to a famous real man, and it makes one wonder if Morrison had an ulterior motive in choosing this name.

The two friends in Love come from opposite sides of the socioeconomic scale, and we are left to wonder how different they truly are. The adult interventions into their childhood bond have led to a rivalry and hatred that may have made them more alike than not. Morrison also leaves the two unnamed at a crucial time, adding to the mystery and ambiguity of the story.
Snake imagery is used throughout the book to reveal the inner states of several characters. The perspectives of these characters are augmented by a first-person narrator who starts and ends the book. Although she is a minor player, her power is sensed by the other characters. The title of the book, Love, is referenced but unsaid in two powerful instances, and is only stated once when it is truly meant. Overall, Love is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that explores the themes of love, friendship, and the impact of adult actions on children.

4.5

Reread

Women fighting over the same man is a truly horrifying sight to behold, yet it can be extremely entertaining to read about!

Maybe "fun" isn't the most accurate term to describe Toni Morrison's Love. This novel is Faulknerian in nature, not only in its language and flow but also in its molasses-thick-and-dark emotional resonance. Love is like witnessing a feminine version of Absalom! Absalom!: a beautifully shadowy Southern power; a corrupting energy that consumes good souls.

In a coastal town in Florida decades ago, an aloof man of significant means is the center around which competing planets orbit. These planets are women from various backgrounds, all with some claim to the man's radiant energy. Their world turns toxic as the reader witnesses the evils of excessive radiation. These off-kilter and colliding friends are torn apart and scorched whenever they come into contact with their beloved sun.

Morrison is a master of her craft, and for those who can tolerate a non-linear storytelling style, reading her work is an absolute pleasure. She approaches her topic from multiple angles, and the reader must piece together the puzzle. Fear not, for by the end, this amoebic puzzle will come together to form a portrait that is both gorgeous and enlightening, yet also heartbreaking. Love is life-affirming, even if life can sometimes feel like one long, drawn-out death.

Perhaps it's not a good way to describe any of her books! I could be wrong as I haven't read them all, but goodness gracious, the woman writes some deep and depressing stuff!

Nowadays, silence is regarded as strange, and most of my race has forgotten the beauty of conveying much with few words.

This is the tenth sentence of this remarkable novel, where the past converges with the present and the future slips by. The characters of Heed and Christine are intertwined for life. Initially, as childhood friends sharing the wishes and dreams of little girls, and then in death, Heed, sharing all the regrets of a lifetime.

Cosby, a wealthy black entrepreneur in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, married an eleven-year-old girl, Heed, who was his granddaughter's best friend, when he was 52 years old. Everyone blamed her due to his wealth and status. Christine blamed her too, believing this must be her fault.

The new arrival, Junior, from the wrong side of the tracks, with a disturbing background, fleeing from the correctional center, and finding a sense of completeness from a dead man's picture, awaits to see her fate. This is a must-read novel that delves into complex themes of race, love, regret, and the consequences of actions. It offers a profound exploration of the human condition and the power of silence and memory.

Read for a group read.

This book is not my usual genre.

The narrative skillfully interweaves the past and the present.

However, at times, I found it a bit confusing to follow who was narrating. Also, the ending seemed a bit unbelievable to me.

Despite these drawbacks, it did leave me yearning for a classic.

I was constantly comparing this book to the great classics that I have read in the past.

The way the story was told, with its jumps in time and multiple narrators, made it a challenging read.

But perhaps that is what the author intended, to make the reader think and engage with the story on a deeper level.

Overall, while it may not be a book that I would recommend to everyone, it did have its moments and made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more.

Love is a beautiful and powerful emotion that has the ability to change lives. It can bring people together in the most unexpected ways and create memories that last a lifetime.

There are countless stories of love that have been told throughout history, each one unique and special in its own way. Some are stories of young love, filled with passion and excitement. Others are stories of long-lasting love, where two people have grown old together and have weathered the storms of life side by side.

No matter what kind of love story it is, they all have one thing in common: they touch our hearts and make us believe in the power of love. Whether it's a love between two people, a love for a pet, or a love for a place, love has the ability to make us feel alive and happy.

So, the next time you hear a great story about love, take a moment to appreciate it and let it remind you of the beauty and power of this amazing emotion.

HIGHLY recommend reading the foreword before delving into this one. There is simply no better encapsulation of this (undoubtedly incredible, as it is Morrison's) novel than this particular section of it. It states, "People tell me that I am always writing about love. Always, always love. I nod, yes, but it isn't true - not exactly. In fact, I am always writing about betrayal. Love is the weather. Betrayal is the lightning that cleaves and reveals it."

This profound statement by Morrison offers a unique perspective on the themes within her work. Love is often seen as the central focus, but she challenges this perception by highlighting the role of betrayal. Love is like the ever-present weather, surrounding us and influencing our lives. However, it is betrayal that acts as the powerful lightning strike, cutting through the surface and revealing the true nature of love.

By presenting this contrast, Morrison invites readers to look beyond the obvious and explore the complex relationship between love and betrayal. It makes us question how betrayal can both shatter and illuminate love, and how these two elements interact within the human experience. This novel is likely to be a thought-provoking exploration of these themes, and reading the foreword first will provide valuable insights into Morrison's intentions and the depth of her storytelling.

Toni Morrison has an incredibly captivating writing style that simply leaves one spellbound. This is the third book of hers that I have delved into, and I am resolute in my determination to explore her entire body of work.

She masterfully weaves mystery throughout her novels, often revealing the crucial essence only in the final moments, and at times, not at all. It would be unjust to claim that the lives of the women in this particular novel revolved solely around the deceased patriarch, Bill Cosey. Although he undeniably had a significant impact on their lives, the book is, in fact, a profound tale of sisterhood, both its presence and its absence at times. It showcases the strength of women, their arduous burdens, the sacrifices they make, and the rivalries that emerge.

The planners held the belief that dark people would engage in fewer dark deeds if there were twice as many streetlamps as in any other place. Only in the fine neighbourhoods and the countryside were people entrusted to the shadows. This thought-provoking statement adds an interesting layer to the narrative, making one reflect on the role of light and darkness, both literally and metaphorically, in the lives of the characters.

Morrison's writing is a literary masterpiece that invites readers to immerse themselves in a world full of complex emotions, hidden secrets, and powerful themes. It challenges our perceptions and makes us question the very fabric of society and the human condition.

I think I can now firmly declare Toni Morrison to be one of my all-time favourite authors! In 2025, I embarked on a personal reading project where I delved into the backlists of various authors to determine if they truly deserved the title of my favourites. I read "Love" as part of this journey. Although I still have a few novels of Morrison's left to explore, it has been an incredibly enjoyable experience so far.

The story is about two young girls whose childhood friendship is abruptly ended when one girl's grandfather, Bill Cosey, takes the other as a child bride. It focuses on the complex relationship between Christine, Cosey's granddaughter, and Heed, Cosey's wife/widow, both before and after Cosey enters their lives. It is a poignant example of how men can disrupt the sacred space and relationships that women have carefully crafted for themselves.

There is so much more to this story than meets the eye. If you have an interest in the relationships among women, historical fiction, or are simply a fan of Toni Morrison's masterful writing, then "Love" could be the perfect read for you! [Audiobook, library]

Wow.

Through the captivating chapters of love, portrait, friend, stranger, benefactor, lover, husband, guardian, father, and phantom, the intricate stories of a couple of characters are gradually unfurled, ultimately weaving into a breathtaking painting.

Beginning from a present-day scenario, the reader is tantalizingly presented with more and more details about each character. They are not mere two-dimensional figures; rather, they are vividly brought to life, complete with flesh and blood, memories, and profound feelings. They reminisce about hardships and traumas with an air of indifference, perhaps as a defense mechanism to shield themselves. However, once they allow themselves to become vulnerable again, these protective shields inevitably crumble.

There are only two instances of disturbing events that occur during the time of the narration and are not remembered. These two events are absolutely gut-wrenching, while all the others are recounted as memories. Some memories date back decades, while others happened only a few years prior. An emotional and temporal distance is maintained, safeguarding both the characters and the readers from emotions that are not easily contained.

Nothing is certain in this complex narrative. No one is strictly good or bad. It is nearly impossible to root for anyone except for one character, who doesn't even play the most central role. They are all human, with their own flaws and virtues, strengths and weaknesses. The author's overwhelming empathy allows for a deep understanding, acceptance, and love of these characters. I will surely miss this wise and calm voice for some time to come.

I don't even know what I just read.

I'm completely confused.

Her writing is actually quite good, but she switches between narrators so frequently and doesn't bother to tell you who anyone is???

I seriously tried to look for a Spark Notes summary of the book, but I couldn't find anything online.

It's so frustrating!

Thank goodness it's over now.

Lol.

This experience has really left me scratching my head.

I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the story through the different narrators, but without proper introductions, it was just a jumbled mess.

I wonder if other readers had the same issue.

Maybe I'll give the book another try at some point, but for now, I'm just relieved to have finished it.

Hopefully, the next book I read will be a lot more straightforward.