Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, this book is truly a masterpiece.

I've come across critics who have touted it as a book "about" slavery. However, it is so much more than that. It is simultaneously a ghost story, a family story, and a love story.

The story has a haunting quality that lingers long after you've turned the last page. The writing is beautiful, with every word carefully chosen to create a vivid and immersive world.

What makes this book even more remarkable is the daring way in which it is told. The author fearlessly explores complex themes and emotions, delving deep into the human psyche.

It is a book that will make you think, feel, and perhaps even change the way you view the world. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do.

There are certain inescapable truths in our world that one must come to terms with. For me, one such truth is that as a white male, I can never fully fathom what it means to be a female or a person of a darker skin color. It is only through reading that I can catch fleeting glimpses into the thoughts and emotions of others.

Morrison, despite not being of an age to have directly experienced the lives of her characters, masterfully描绘s a vivid and realistic picture of what life must have been like for newly emancipated black people in the post-Civil War era. I was truly impressed by the empathy she exhibited in handling the thoughts and feelings of black men from that time period. However, it was her profound understanding of her own gender that truly came to life on the page. Her complete掌控 over the thoughts and emotions of Baby Suggs, Sethe, Denver, and even Beloved is what makes this story truly remarkable.

This book is brilliant in its detailed descriptions of the lives endured by both men and women living in slavery. It also powerfully展现s the life-and-death struggle that Sethe faced during her escape from bondage. It is her life experiences that shape her unique perspective on love. That "Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all." During her single, tragic act of panicked desperation, love was indeed on her mind. She firmly believed that her action was the greatest act of love she could possibly perform. The act that Baby Suggs could neither condemn nor condone because she could see both sides, so she simply chose to forgive. This act becomes yet another unspeakable horror in a life already filled with horrors, which she buries deep within herself. Sethe's act causes her to withdraw from society and become a social outcast. Her life after the tragedy, whether in a state of madness or not, revolves around Baby Suggs, Denver, Beloved, and for a brief period, Paul D. After Beloved disappears, we are left to wonder: Will Sethe find peace and a modicum of happiness in the life that remains for her to live?

The element of ghost/magical realism in the book is the part that I did not particularly care for. It was, unfortunately, not a minor aspect of the story. As a result, I find myself deeply appreciating the overall story while simultaneously being frustrated by large portions of it. I would rate it 3 stars, but it is still easily recommendable.

I am truly unworthy to pen a review of this remarkable, deeply affecting, mysterious, and powerfully written book.

The story, on the surface, may seem simple, but the way it is told is anything but. It is like observing a petal floating on the surface of churning water, its direction constantly changing in an unpredictable manner.

I understand each individual word, yet the sense and sentences remain elusive, even as they are both beautiful and, at times, ugly. It is as if I am attempting to decipher an unfamiliar dialect or make sense of a half-forgotten dream.

I find myself empathizing with Paul D: “The feeling a large, silver fish had slipped from his hands the minute he grabbed hold of its tail”.

Freedom from slavery does not mean freedom from the past. Not even from the past of one's ancestors. Beloved vividly portrays the shocking brutality and the far-reaching, multi-faceted consequences that have been passed down through generations. However, the fluid prose seems to cast a veil over the horror, much like the Nadsat slang does in Clockwork Orange, which I reviewed HERE.

The narrative shifts perspectives and jumps around the timeline. What is real and what is imagined becomes muddled, muddy, and uncertain, especially when it comes to who - or what - Beloved is. Elemental liquids such as blood, milk, and water mix and take on a mystical quality.

Themes explored in this book are numerous and complex. I am certain there are countless books, theses, and GR reviews that delve into these themes far more deeply than I ever could. I will soon be looking at my friends' reviews to gain a better understanding. Some of the key themes I identified include mother-daughter-sister love and sacrifice, the question of if and when murder can be the kinder option, guilt, redemption, and revenge, who has the right to know and tell of a partner's past, masculinity, especially for the enslaved, memories and the balance between the past and the future, trauma/PTSD, the nature of ghosts, a house as a character, the power of community, and color - not just in the sense of race.

The quotes in this book are equally powerful. From descriptions of nature like “It was April and everything alive was tentative” to profound statements about emotion such as “Sethe was licked, tasted, eaten by Beloved’s eyes… Their two shadows clashed and crossed on the ceiling like black swords”. The book also contains powerful critiques of racist oppression, like “How much is a nigger supposed to take?... All he can.”

In terms of rating, my enjoyment level was 2*, but the objective quality of the book is 4*+. Overall, I would rate this book 3*. It is a challenging read, but one that is well worth the effort.

I really liked it - both the story and the writing style.

- What kind of evil do you harbor in your house?

- No evil. Only sadness. Come. Enter.

- She had decided that, since the life of a slave had "turned her feet, back, eyes, hands, kidneys, uterus and tongue to dust", there was nothing left for her to live but her heart, and she immediately set about putting it into everything.

- To free you was one thing; to claim ownership of that freed self was quite another.

- She is the friend of my mind. She gathers me up in one place, man. The pieces of which I am made, she gathers them and gives them back to me in the right order. It's good, you know, to have a woman who is the friend of your mind.

This story seems to be filled with deep emotions and profound thoughts. The dialogue adds an element of mystery and curiosity. The description of the character's determination and the realization about freedom and self-ownership is quite powerful. It makes one wonder about the various aspects of life and how we define ourselves. The idea of having a friend who understands and supports our mind is also very touching. Overall, it leaves a lasting impression and makes the reader want to explore more of what lies beneath the surface of these words.

124 — The House of the Baby Ghost

Who was Margaret Garner?

Ms. Garner was a former slave. After a failed escape, she was so desperate that she murdered one of her kids and tried to do the same to the remaining ones. She was determined to end not only her own life but also the lives of her beloved children, seeing death as an open gate to freedom. She showed no signs of insanity nor repentance. In that cruel reality, those heinous acts seemed like the right thing to do.

This real life event became the seed for Toni Morrison's "Beloved". Morrison found Margaret Garner fascinating and interesting enough to create a whole story about her. She gave her thoughts, relatives, acquaintances, and a house to live in - 124. This house was fiercely haunted by the missing 3, who was entitled to an afterlife revenge. 124 was constantly reminding the mother that she once had 4 kids instead of 3.

When I think about this infanticide, I realize that maybe in this particular situation, the line between right and wrong was so thin that it became almost invisible. Let life be the judge.

The brutal truth is presented in a brilliantly written manner. There is a mother hanging from a tree, the vile debasement of a nursing mother, and scars from whipping so deep that they form a design of a tree on a woman's back. There is also a bloodied dead baby, which is the ultimate symbol of the truly horrific nature of slavery. These are some of the images that will stay with me long after reading this book.

This was not an easy book to read, and in the strictest sense, it was not enjoyable. However, I can say that I appreciated every word, what the story tells, and how it is told. The past is present through flashbacks, in memory, in stories told by one character to another, and in streams of consciousness. The past is always present in the present. It's a haunting ghost story, but the past is even more haunting and daunting. This blend of past and present requires the reader to pay close attention. I read it slowly to ensure I didn't miss what was happening or what had happened.

What an achievement in storytelling! Much has been written about this book, which delves deeper into Sethe's story, Baby Suggs's story, Denver's story, Paul D's story, and of course, Beloved's. I won't repeat that here because it's Toni Morrison's story to tell, and I recommend that you discover it for yourself. Just be prepared. The fact that Sethe's character is based on a real person deepens the significance when, as a reader, I consider what a mother would do to save her child from a horrific life of slavery.

The news of Toni Morrison's recent death prompted me to finally pick up this book from the basket next to my bed, which was filled with books I'd been meaning to read. With every article I read about her this last week, I kept thinking about how much I had missed by not reading any of her books. As difficult as this was to read, I'm glad I did, and I know I will read more to avoid missing out on the many reasons why Morrison deserved so many accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Beloved is a remarkable novel that delves deep into the complex and harrowing experiences of its characters.

Primarily, it focuses on Sethe and her violent past as a formerly enslaved woman in Sweet Home, Kentucky. The trauma she endured there, including the death of her baby daughter and the malevolent spirit of Beloved, haunts her life.

The book also explores the life of Sethe's other daughter, Denver, who lives in isolation and loneliness in house 124. Denver's extreme loneliness leads her to seek and embrace the spirit of Beloved.

When a member from Sethe's past appears, her memories of enslavement resurface, memories she wishes to forget.

The writing in this book is both lyrical and beautiful in some parts, yet dense in others, requiring effort from the reader. However, the reward is poetic prose, horror, and beauty.

Beloved explores the cruel treatment of slaves, with the experiences of Paul D and Sethe being truly horrifying. It also shows the journeys to freedom and the help along the way.

Most importantly, it demonstrates how decisions, thoughts, and feelings after escaping slavery shape lives.

The book also delves into themes of love, family, regret, and anger, especially in relation to Sethe's relationships with those at house 124.

Overall, Beloved is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a深刻的 look at the legacy of slavery and its impact on individuals and families.

Toni Morrison's Beloved is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel. Sethe, a former slave, escapes bondage but remains haunted by her past and the ghost of her unnamed baby daughter. The story is a poignant exploration of the trauma of slavery and its lasting impact on the lives of those who endured it.

The novel is filled with powerful and poetic passages that vividly描绘 the pain and suffering of Sethe and her family. Morrison's writing is masterful, and she weaves a story that is both tragic and beautiful.

Despite the heartbreak and sadness that pervade the novel, there is also a glimmer of hope. Sethe's love for her children and her determination to hold onto her freedom are powerful forces that give the reader a sense of her strength and resilience.

\\n  

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”

\\n This quote from Beloved sums up the central theme of the novel. It is not enough to simply escape slavery; one must also find a way to come to terms with the past and create a new life for oneself.

Overall, Beloved is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature or the history of slavery. It is a powerful and unforgettable story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a melancholic but beautifully written story about Sethe, a slave woman who having escaped slavery will never be free. She is daunted not only by her memories, but also by the ghost of her baby daughter that died nameless. On her grave there is just a word: Beloved. Her suffering is poignant and heartbreaking.
\\n  

“Sad as it was that she did not know where her children were buried or what they looked like if alive, fact was she knew more about them than she knew about herself, having never had the map to discover what she was like.

Could she sing? (Was it nice to hear when she did?) Was she pretty? Was she a good friend? Could she have been a loving mother? A faithful wife? Have I got a sister and does she favor me? If my mother knew me would she like me?”

\\n Masterfully written, it is powerful and poetical at the same time. It is considered a great example of American literature, and I can do no less. Despite it all, it was so tragic that it injures the soul: it is enslavement at its worst, for even after escape there is no freedom; it is wretchedness of loss, that torments the living.

And amid all this suffering, there is beauty in Morrison's lyrical delivery:
\\n  

“There is a loneliness that can be rocked. Arms crossed, knees drawn up, holding, holding on, this motion, unlike a ship's, smooths and contains the rocker. It's an inside kind--wrapped tight like skin. Then there is the loneliness that roams. No rocking can hold it down. It is alive. On its own. A dry and spreading thing that makes the sound of one's own feet going seem to come from a far-off place.”

\\nI can say honestly that I cherished Beloved like certainly it deserved, however I was depressingly impacted, and it left me with a very sorrowful taste. As Morrison doubtless felt and foresaw in her readers when writing Beloved. For its theme requires no less.
\\n  

\\"Beloved
You are my sister
You are my daughter
You are my face; you are me
I have found you again; you have come back to me
You are my beloved
You are mine
You are mine\\"

\\nIf you have not read Beloved, I urge you to do it!

"We got more yesterday than anybody. We need some kind of tomorrow."

"Beloved" is an incredibly powerful book, and I must admit that at times, it can seem a bit pretentious. Toni Morrison has taken the often-overdone theme of American slavery and given it a unique and eloquent new resonance. However, simultaneously, the book reads as if it were刻意crafted to be "great or significant literature," which detracts from its accessibility and potential audience.

This is not a text that one can simply read without full commitment. It is also a text that becomes richer upon rereading, and I sincerely hope that more people give it that opportunity. This is my 6th reading of this novel, and I appreciate it more now than I did the first time. That truly says something about its quality.

Oddly enough, the book's power surpasses most of its characters. Although they are interesting and, at times, painfully real, it is the poetical way in which Morrison presents their views and thoughts that leaves the reader breathless.

All too often, slavery has been superficially covered, with the focus mainly on its physical marks and manifestations. Morrison makes the emotional scars and the lack of human dignity the true abuse, and by taking this approach, she transcends the historical or generational limitations that this subject could impose on readers. Anyone who has felt the sting of indignity or the lack of companionship will find relevance in this novel. Morrison's former slaves are forced into these situations by their past and present circumstances, but we can all relate to the emotional content of most of their stories. It is the oldest story around: people needing other people and a sense of self-worth. We all understand that. This passage where a former slave wonders about the very basic traits of life always hits me hard in the gut as I cannot fathom a life where I would think like this...

“Could she sing? (Was it nice to hear when she did?) Was she pretty? Was she a good friend? Could she have been a loving mother? A faithful wife? Have I got a sister and does she favor me? If my mother knew me would she like me?”

Another powerful theme is the idea of memory and the past and its permanent place in our present. That struggle is very real, and although I hope no one reading this has a past issue as extreme as human bondage, we can still relate to the idea of living in a present that refuses to let go of something from the past.

The novel's hopeful ending neatly ties up the horror that preceded it and gives the reader a sense of the future belonging to those who wish to embrace it.

The strength of "Beloved" lies in its amazing use of figurative language. However, the ambiguity and ethereal nature of certain sections may leave some readers confused. There is a recurring motif that references the Middle Passage, which took me several readings to begin to understand. If that happens to you, put the book down, come back to it later, and read it again.

"Beloved" is a remarkable achievement. It truly is.

Criança Número 3

124 is not a normal house! It's not just any number!

124 is a code:

--- 1 and 2 are Howard and Buglar -- the eldest sons of Sethe.

--- 4 corresponds to Denver -- the youngest girl.

--- The non-existent 3 symbolizes the absence of the first daughter, who is no longer among the living. However, she also resides in that house, albeit in an invisible state to others.

As you have surely inferred, 124 is a rather peculiar and unusual family house, because one of the children -- Beloved -- only manifests as a spirit, and has even scared the two male siblings with her mischief. Then there are only Sethe and Denver left, since Howard and Buglar have already run away...

Beloved is taking revenge for a premature death -- her life was stolen from her before she was 2 years old, by her own mother, Sethe, who was born a slave but aspired to die free by risking a desperate escape. So, just before being recaptured, Sethe cut the throat of her Beloved, intending to apply a similar remedy to the remaining children; then she was supposed to commit suicide, embracing death as the only way to liberation. However, time didn't allow her to do so!

The Sethe I'm telling you about is a mix of fiction and reality. She was inspired by the African-American Margaret Garner, and Beloved is her fictionalized biography.

When I think about her act born out of despair, I am unable to reach a verdict.

Someone said one day, wisely, that "it is the sins that punish us", and I dare to add, no less wisely

Toni Morrison, the American writer who won the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in Literature, published one of her most famous works, "Beloved", in 1987. She was inspired by the real history of a woman to write it. After waiting on my bookshelf for several years, I finally had the courage to read it thanks to #blackhistoryjuly.

The story, set after the Civil War, presents us with Sethe, a woman who manages to escape slavery with her daughter Denver. A shadow will pursue them from then on, a haunted house, a half-private life of freedom, and a past that does not allow rest and swallows everything in its path without mercy.

Perhaps I should warn that at first, the author's language or narrative style can be confusing, even strange. But it turns out to be extremely intelligent. She continuously changes characters, uses flashbacks, and an endless number of strategies to disconcert the reader, to not leave them indifferent, and to provide an unpredictable and moving reading. Without a doubt, it is harsh, sometimes macabre, but at the same time, it is written with such brilliance that it is impossible not to enjoy it.

Morrison's use of magical realism is simply masterful. Giving a fantastic touch to a harrowing story is a correct choice. She creates a dark, turbid atmosphere that borders on the oppressive at times and shows how chilling a story that combines the paranormal with the real can be. A story that perfectly combines symbolism, motherhood, remorse, the longed-for liberation, and slavery.

To conclude this review, I just want to warn that I haven't been able to do justice to the writing and that it has literally left me speechless. What a pleasant and exciting surprise it is to discover a book of which you know absolutely nothing about its plot, when you let yourself be carried away and suddenly you find yourself in front of one of your best readings of the year. Reading Morrison is one of the best things you can do, and I highly recommend it to you.

"Il tuo amore è troppo grande."

This statement seems rather profound and thought-provoking.

"Troppo grande? (...) L'amore c'è o non c'è. L'amore piccolo non è amore per niente."

Love is such a complex and powerful emotion. When someone says their love is too great, it makes us wonder what that truly means. Is love something that can be measured in terms of size?

The response that love either exists or it doesn't, and that a small love is not love at all, challenges our traditional notions of love.

Perhaps love is not about quantity but rather about quality.

A love that is deep, passionate, and unconditional is what truly matters.

It doesn't matter how big or small it may seem on the surface.

What counts is the sincerity and authenticity behind it.

Love has the power to transform lives, bring joy and happiness, and heal wounds.

It is a force that cannot be ignored or underestimated.

So, whether our love is "too great" or not, we should cherish and embrace it with all our hearts.