Incredible! Lyrical and sublime!

Ms. Morrison portrays the post-slavery period in America, which was just after the Civil War and extended into the 20th century, as vividly as any writer I have ever read. She has the courage to deal with this dark period in American history, where people of color were technically free but still faced numerous hardships and inequalities.

Her characters are truly unforgettable. They are so real that they seem to leap off the page and into our hearts. Through her masterful writing, she transcends the limitations of time and place, making her work a timeless and brilliant piece of literature.

AMAZING!! It is no wonder that her works are widely regarded as some of the greatest in American literature. Her ability to capture the essence of this difficult period and bring it to life through her characters and stories is truly remarkable.

If you haven't watched the documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, do yourself a favor and find it somewhere.

Hey Harlem. Gossip Girl here. And I have the biggest news ever. One of my many sources, Chloe31, sends us this: “Spotted at funeral, knife in hand: Violet Trace.” Was it only weeks ago our Dead Girl was warming Joe Trace’s bed? And suddenly, she’s dead. Don't believe me? See for yourselves. Lucky for us, Chloe31 sent proof. Thanks for the novel, Toni. Who am I? That’s one secret I’ll never tell. So until next time, you know you love me. Gossip Girl.

(This work by Toni Morrison is meatier than The Bluest Eye, but less labyrinthine than Paradise. It may be my favorite Toni Morrison yet. Set during the Prohibition era, it's filled with the vibrant energy of jazz and the hustle and bustle of New York City. The story also delves into the scenes from a marriage, exploring the complex emotions and relationships. The author titled it Jazz, but it could just as easily have been called Love, a later Toni Morrison title. With only a handful of characters, including the gossipy unidentified narrator, great things are achieved. Have I mentioned that books set in New York City just do it for me? Despite my initial doubts, this one didn’t disappoint. It's a captivating read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.)

This is my favorite book by Toni Morrison thus far as I make my way through all of her published works. The author herself narrates the Audible version, which is truly a remarkable gift. Hearing her bring her characters to life is an experience like no other.

Jazz is the story of Joe and Violet. Similar to most of Morrison's work, we are provided with the back story of the main characters, as she vividly portrays the hardships and forced migrations of many blacks during the early 20th century. I have a deep appreciation for these back stories, especially the yearning to find one's identity by reconnecting with parents who were never known.

It is a seemingly simple, yet highly complex story that commences with a violent and tragic end to a failed affair. We are granted access to the inner thoughts and emotions of Joe, Violet, and young Dorcas. There is profound insight into the minds and motivations of those involved in an affair and its ultimate conclusion. There are numerous tender moments, such as when Joe and Violet first meet. However, I was particularly touched by the ending, where we gain the perspective of one of Dorcas's friends. Her presence and actions assist Joe and Violet in beginning to heal, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and the overcoming of hardships.

Don't mind me reading this series out of order!! It's just due in a few days lol.

I know it might seem a bit strange to some, but sometimes circumstances force us to take a different approach.

Maybe I should have planned better and read the series in the correct sequence from the start.

However, with the deadline looming so close, I have to make the most of the time I have.

I'm hoping that despite reading it out of order, I'll still be able to understand the main storylines and get the essence of the series.

It might be a bit of a challenge, but I'm up for it.

Who knows, maybe this unorthodox way of reading will even give me a unique perspective on the series.

At least I'll have something to show for my efforts when the due date arrives.

So, here I go, diving into this series out of order and hoping for the best!

One thing, one note, I will always carry with me when I finally stop being so afraid and actually put pen to paper: There is an abundance of story in writing about the way people feel, not just what they do.

Toni examines and reexamines her characters' motives and moods in a manner that seems incredibly true to life. We often find ourselves in a state of confusion, not fully understanding why we do the things we do. However, when we look back on our own lives and the lives of those we have loved, we may discover some explanations.

I have this intense desire to immerse myself in the words Toni writes, to absorb them completely and hold onto them for the remainder of my life. Her writing has the power to touch our hearts and make us see the world from a different perspective. It allows us to explore the depths of human emotions and understand the complexity of our actions.

By delving into the feelings and motives of her characters, Toni creates a vivid and realistic portrayal of life. Her work serves as a reminder that there is more to a story than just the actions that take place. It is the emotions, the thoughts, and the experiences that truly make a story come alive.

I am determined to follow in Toni's footsteps and use my writing to explore the inner world of my characters. I want to create stories that not only entertain but also resonate with readers on a deeper level. I believe that by writing about the way people feel, we can connect with others and gain a better understanding of ourselves.

So, I will continue to write, to explore, and to learn. I will not let fear hold me back any longer. I will embrace the power of words and use them to tell the stories that need to be told. And I will always remember the importance of writing about the way people feel, for it is in these emotions that the true essence of a story lies.

4,5, as I still found Beloved and God help the Child even more impressive. However, still: Psychologically great, vivid language. Great! Toni Morrison indeed.

Toni Morrison's works are truly remarkable. In "Beloved" and "God help the Child," she展现出了极高的文学造诣. The psychological depth she explores in these novels is truly astounding. She delves deep into the human psyche,揭示出人性的复杂与多面性.

Moreover, her use of language is simply brilliant. It is vivid and engaging, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The words seem to come alive on the page, drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are a part of the story.

Toni Morrison is a master of her craft, and her works are a testament to her talent and creativity. She has left an indelible mark on the literary world, and her novels will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.

Don Juanes say that the first sentence said to a woman is fundamental, capable of marking the success or failure of the conquest. Well, although I don't believe I'm the first one to achieve it, this novel has enamored me with its first paragraph:

“Sssst… I know that woman. She lived surrounded by birds on Lenox Avenue. I also know her husband. He fell in love with an 18-year-old girl and had one of those seizures that pierce you to the core and that put so much pain and so much happiness in him that he killed the girl with a single shot so that that feeling would never end. When the woman, whose name is Violet, went to the funeral to see the girl and scratch her lifeless face, they knocked her to the ground and expelled her from the church. Then she ran away, in the middle of all that snow, and as soon as she was back in her apartment she took the birds out of the cages and opened the windows for them to take flight or to freeze, including the parrot that said: “I love you.”

(I read somewhere that that sssst that starts the text is the sound the needle makes on the record before the start of the music.)

And not only its first sentences, but also its subsequent “conversation” was not far behind. From the first moment I noticed that the novel must have been going very well for it because the effort it was making to please me and keep me by its side was worthy of praise. I let myself be loved trying to hide how enchanted I was, in case its solicitation towards me decreased.

We walked a lot through its city, it introduced me to blacks and blacks from interesting to very interesting, it told me many sad stories, some happy and also brutal ones, it let me glimpse other lives, as when passing close to an open window we heard voices, laughter, lamentations, pleas (hit me but don't leave me) and music, a lot of music of that kind that it told me made it aware of the life it had below the waist, as well as the red of its lips... and these things that it told me sometimes made me think if it wasn't just sex that it was looking for in me, but even this I forgave when it whispered in my ear that it was ridiculous, delicious and terrible.

In short, what can I tell you, like other couples, we had stories of jealousy, stories of shouts and kisses, of sugar and salt... although I don't know what she will think, because, the truth is, I was never an ideal lover.

WOAH.

I just finished this book, and I find myself longing to start from the very beginning all over again.

This is the second book I've read by Toni Morrison, with the first being Song of Solomon. I truly hope that within my lifetime, I can manage to read every single book she has published.

This particular one took me a considerable amount of time to complete. The reason for this is that I had to pay extremely close attention. The narrators keep changing, and I must admit that at one point, I even needed to Google who the last narrator was. Lol.

Although at times I had to exert a great deal of effort to fully grasp the narration, I am still incredibly glad that this book was written in such a manner. Understanding that people and life are complex means realizing that there will always be multiple perceptions.

Violet. Violet--Violent---Violet. She is my absolute favorite character. And that's really saying a lot because, in the end, after Joe interacted with Felice, I came to have a deep love for Joe as well.

But Violet. I will never forget her. She reminds me a little bit of Pilate from Song of Solomon.

I think it's because she conveys the same message - that craziness is subjective. And Violet knows that she is so much more than the stereotypes that are imposed upon her.

She couldn't care less about what people think of her. And she is honest to the very core.

I'll definitely be rereading this book, but hopefully not for a couple of years, as I need to take the time to properly process my first reading.

3 stars

I have to confess that I'm not truly a devotee of Toni Morrison.

I've perused a few of her books, and like this particular one, they simply didn't hold much meaning for me. It's not the diverse conversations within her works that bother me; rather, I feel her storylines are fragmented, and I have an extremely difficult time keeping up with her.

If I believe I'm tracking her thoughts, I ultimately reach a dead end, left wondering where the narrative is headed or what I just read and its significance.

I assigned this book a 3-star rating not because I adored the book but because she was such a highly esteemed and well-loved author who had received numerous accolades for her writing. Just because I don't have a penchant for her writing doesn't imply that she wasn't accomplished. Regrettably, I just can't establish a connection with her.

I have a deep admiration for Toni Morrison.

Beloved is truly one of the top 10 favorite books in my all-time collection. It holds a special place in my heart.

My initial encounter with Morrison's work was through The Bluest Eye. I was completely astonished by its sheer power. The way the story unfolded and the emotions it evoked were truly remarkable.

As for Jazz, I did appreciate the unique rhythm that Morrison brought to it. However, for some reason, I couldn't quite establish a strong connection with the story itself.

Despite this, Toni Morrison's writing is always captivating and thought-provoking. Her ability to create vivid characters and explore complex themes is truly a gift.

I look forward to reading more of her works and delving deeper into the worlds she has created.

The first paragraph of this book is by far the best I've ever read. Morrison's writing here is truly captivating.

As I delved into the story, I found myself both loving the way she crafted the dialogue and the scenes, which were simply amazing. However, I also had moments when I wasn't entirely sure if I fully understood the book.

The plot, at times, seemed a bit convoluted and caused me to lose my way a little. But despite this, I still really enjoyed reading it. In fact, most of the time, I felt like I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

Overall, this book has left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more of Morrison's work in the future.

The music plays softly in the background.

The people are the focus, with all their flaws and imperfections on display, yet gently shaded and understood with the utmost kindness. Part of this understanding is rooted in history, not dug up but carefully unfurled or traced, for it is still alive and causing pain. Kinship shapes the story, which twists and turns around time, like a helix, branching out in different directions. It is a strong and flexible vine, sometimes hacked at but always blooming, covering itself with new, lush, and resurgent life. A leaf is an organ, and one leaf's growth nourishes the whole. But the fallen sisters and brothers are mourned.

Where did this violence come from? Joe and Violet kill and mutilate a teenage girl, and then Morrison makes us love them. Audre Lorde said that when people share a common oppression, certain skills and joint defenses are developed. And if they survive, it is because those skills and defenses have worked. But when they come into conflict over other existing differences, there is a deep and desperate vulnerability to each other. The violence of racism is internalized and becomes intraracial violence. The blood-fed and tormented vine, not surprisingly, bears bitter fruit.

One thing that stood out to me was the contrast between Acton and Joe. The cruel and self-centered young man fits the patriarchal expectations of Dorcas, who was raised by an aunt who restricted her to protect her from what she saw as a sinful youth culture. Joe, as seen through his wife's eyes, is different, special, and richly deserving of love. His own account inspires deep sympathy and liking. But it is Joe, not Acton, who destroys Dorcas, literally killing her. It is too easy to deal death, and much too hard to reject what white supremacist capitalist patriarchy teaches: that black women are expendable and that men are entitled to unconditional female loyalty.

For black people in America, missing mothers and a missing motherland are imperfectly replaced by fellow orphan migrants in Harlem, where they find a certain sense of safety in numbers and mutual support. Trauma remains unspoken, too painful to talk about, and instead flows into and is answered by the music, which blossoms irresistibly, with dark blooms dripping with scent and nectar, like mild aphrodisiac intoxicants.

Our narrator also lives in Harlem, passing on the tales she knows. But sometimes she lets the owners tell them first or again. This is how it felt to me, and then this is how I see it. The gatherer and teller of stories holds an authority that comes with responsibility. She does justice to the stories by reminding her listeners that there is no single story, only herstories and histories that are variously nourished and starved and intertwined.