This novel has been sitting pretty on my shelf for years.

The reason is that I was too daunted to touch anything by Toni Morrison, the “Towering Novelist of the Black Experience.”

When awarding her the Nobel, the Swedish Academy cited her “novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import,” through which she “gives life to an essential aspect of American reality.”

Frankly, it doesn't really sound like a beach read.

I chose this for a reading challenge prompt (a bestseller from the 90’s), but I was dreading it.

However, I spent a lot of time worried about nothing because Jazz – which I don't believe is even meant to be her best book – is an absolute wonder.

Basically, Violet, whose husband, Joe Trace, has killed his young lover, befriends Alice, the dead girl’s mother.

The main “action” of the story is set in 1926 NYC, but there is a lot that happens ten years before, twenty years before, thirty, forty, fifty years before.

Suffice to say following the narration is a serious mental exercise but ultimately very rewarding.

I took my time with this one and always looked forward to returning to it.

I'm so excited to read more of Morrison's work.

The story seems to suffer from an overabundance of stream-of-consciousness, which often leads to a lack of a clear and engaging plot.

While stream-of-consciousness can add a certain depth and authenticity to a narrative, when it dominates to such an extent that the plot becomes muddled and difficult to follow, it can be a deterrent to the reader's enjoyment.

There is a fine balance between exploring the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters and presenting a coherent and structured storyline.

Perhaps the author could consider reining in the stream-of-consciousness and focusing more on developing a stronger plot with clear goals, conflicts, and resolutions.

This would not only make the story more accessible and engaging but also allow the reader to better connect with the characters and their experiences.

By finding this balance, the author has the potential to create a more satisfying and memorable piece of writing.

From the book’s description:

In the winter of 1926, when everyone everywhere perceives only good things on the horizon, Joe Trace, a middle-aged door-to-door salesman of Cleopatra beauty products, shoots his teenage lover to death. At the funeral, Joe’s wife, Violet, attacks the girl’s corpse. This passionate and profound tale of love and obsession transports us back and forth in time, as a narrative is pieced together from the emotions, hopes, fears, and deep realities of black urban life.

This story is recounted by two unnamed narrators, one after the other. Their perspectives are in conflict, leaving the reader to question which, if any, is accurate. It is told in a stream of consciousness style. It appears to be variations on a theme, which is characteristic of jazz music, and can be sensed in lyrical and rhythmic passages such as:

“So why is it on Thursday that the men look satisfied? Perhaps it’s the artificial rhythm of the week — perhaps there is something so false about the seven-day cycle that the body pays no attention to it, preferring triplets, duets, quartets, anything but a cycle of seven that has to be broken into human parts and the break comes on Thursday.”

This is the second book of a trilogy, commencing with Beloved (during and just after slavery), advancing to Jazz (during the Harlem Renaissance and Great Migration), and concluding in Paradise (establishing a black community before and during the Civil Rights era). Each can be read independently, but together, they provide an overview of American black history through fiction. My personal order of preference is Paradise, then Beloved, and then Jazz. I can recognize its literary value, but I favor a more direct approach.

Don’t ever think I feel for you. I didn’t fall in love; I rose in it.

Have you ever been in love to such an extent that you were ready to sacrifice everything just to hold onto it? So passionately in love that you started doing the "uh oh uhh oh" in the Beyoncé style? Did you just do the dance and sing

My favorite author is Toni Morrison. Her works are not only profound but also captivating.

In her novel set in the Jazz age Harlem, the theme of jealousy is explored in a vivid and intense way. The characters' emotions are laid bare, and we can see how jealousy can consume and drive people to do things they might not otherwise do.

Toni Morrison's writing style is unique. She uses language in a beautiful and powerful way to bring the story to life. The descriptions of the Harlem setting are so detailed that we can almost feel like we are there, experiencing the music, the culture, and the emotions of the people.

Overall, Toni Morrison's work is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature. Her exploration of jealousy in the Jazz age Harlem is just one example of her ability to tell a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

I finally came across a Morrison book that I don't have a liking for.

The book is intended to imitate jazz music, aiming to be unpredictable and almost improvisational. While this might function well in the realm of music, I don't believe it translates effectively into a novel. And if Morrison, with all her talent and skill, can't make it succeed, then perhaps no one can.

Despite the ambition and the effort that went into this work, I'm still glad that I read it. However, Morrison's experimentation with form has caused the novel to lack cohesion. The various disparate parts, some of which are beautiful and others not so much, when added together, amount to not much more than the first paragraph or the blurb on the back cover. It's a disappointment considering the high expectations one has for a Morrison novel.

Someone please explain to me how it's possible that Morrison can write a book in such a chaotic manner. Her work is filled with mysterious first-person narrators, and she switches points of view without any indication of who is speaking. She throws in random characters back and forth as she pleases, and transitions from one place to another in a non-smooth way. As a result, you're left looking at the page, completely confused, wondering "WTF how did that happen?" Moreover, she randomly jumps from past tense to present tense. It's truly baffling. And yet, people still consider this a classic. Oh, Morrison's the best writer in America!!1!!111!!!!1

Her writing style is so unique and unconventional that it challenges the traditional norms of storytelling. While some may argue that her lack of clarity and structure adds to the depth and complexity of her work, others find it frustrating and difficult to follow. Nevertheless, Morrison's impact on the literary world cannot be denied. Her books have won numerous awards and have been widely studied and analyzed. But for those of us who struggle to make sense of her writing, it remains a mystery as to why she is considered such a great writer.

As we all know, Morrison is a highly accomplished writer. I'll attempt to be concise in my review. This book was truly engaging in a way that was not overly indulgent. I read it slowly, savoring each sentence. I found myself rereading some passages more than three times, not only to fully appreciate the beauty of the language but also to explore different ways of reading it, perhaps in her voice or my own. Sometimes I wanted to understand who the narrator was, and at other times, I simply wanted to relive the experience of reading that sentence for the first time.

There were occasions when I pretended I hadn't read a paragraph and went back to it, just to delight in the craftsmanship, the languid pace, the shocking content, the unique structure, or the lyrical quality. I'm not sure if I'm making myself clear, but basically, this book exceeded my expectations. It did take me a while to read, partly due to external life circumstances but also because I tend to dwell on books whose writing I truly enjoy, often forgetting the story itself. To me, there's nothing more wonderful than writing that draws you in and makes you want to come back for more, regardless of the plot.

I loved the process of initially understanding and then feeling completely lost, trying to make sense of the story. I was captivated by the sensation of hunting, both for the characters who were hunting for various things - animals, other humans, love, clarification, truth, and themselves - and for us as readers, hunting for the story and trying to get to know the characters intimately, without any secrets hidden from us. In some cases, we were able to do so, but in others, the narrator left us in the dark, perhaps because some aspects of the story are wild and defy easy comprehension.

The last chapter was simply beautiful. It was truly lovely. The narrator's desire for love - to love and be loved - was so genuine, vulnerable, and sad that it was almost unbearable.

I had initially thought that reading this book would be difficult and frustrating. I had read Beloved many years ago and was concerned that I wouldn't fully understand this new work or be able to draw connections to it. Beloved was deeply rooted in themes of motherhood, pain, and the shadow of identities, while this book focused more on love, sex, New York City, and music. The city came alive on the page, and the words seemed to mimic the rhythm and improvisation of jazz in a way that I never thought possible. In her introduction, Morrison reveals her intention to make the book resemble jazz - improvising, filled with desire, constantly changing and moving without control. She describes her desire to break free from traditional structure and infuse the book with the spirit of jazz. I admired the thought behind this concept, and although I thought the execution might be challenging, it was actually quite evident. I truly believe that anyone who reads this book should make sure to read her note on it, as it adds an extra layer of care and attention to the reading experience.

Just as 'Beloved' dealt with maternal love,

in this work Morrison turns to jealousy and romantic love and produces another brilliant novel: poetic, vivid, sensual.

Looking at the negative comments that some of the reviewers have given, I think they mainly boil down to the effect that Morrison is difficult to read.

If you're not willing to put in some effort and to actually use your imagination, then you had better return this to the bookstore and swap it for that Stephen King novel you had your eyes on.

A Morrison novel is a genuine work of art, but it requires you to put some work in and to play your own part in creating the story.

Morrison's writing style is complex and rich, filled with deep emotions and profound themes. She challenges the reader to think deeply and to engage with the text on multiple levels. While this may be intimidating for some, it is also what makes her novels so rewarding to read.

To fully appreciate a Morrison novel, one must be willing to slow down, to savor the language, and to allow oneself to be drawn into the world she creates. It is a journey that requires patience and perseverance, but the rewards are well worth it.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy read, a Morrison novel may not be for you. But if you're willing to take the time and effort to engage with a truly great work of literature, then I highly recommend giving one of her novels a try.

I felt as if Toni Morrison was delicately cradling my heart within her hands as I meticulously tore away each petal from this remarkable book, eager to explore and study its profound contents.

The pages of this literary masterpiece are poetically woven together, forming a tapestry of words that dance and sing on the page. Each word is chosen with such precision, as if Morrison herself is a master painter, carefully selecting the perfect colors to create a vivid and unforgettable image.

The beauty of this book is simply breathtaking. It is a work of art that transcends time and space, speaking directly to the human soul. With every turn of the page, I am drawn deeper into Morrison's world, a world filled with love, pain, joy, and sorrow. It is a world that I never want to leave, a world that has forever changed me.

Jazz by Toni Morrison is an incredibly profound novel. It is beautifully written and masterfully constructed, full of mystery, meaning, and perplexity. Just like Beloved, it is haunting, sad, powerful, and tragic. It is as magical and unique as the genre of music it is named after. What an amazing novel it truly is!

This novel had me from its foreword. In the edition I read, there was a fascinating foreword written by Morrison herself, in which she compared the novel with jazz music. Think about it! Who could make you feel sorry for a married man who shot his teenage lover if not an exceptionally talented writer like Morrison? She makes you feel for every single character in this love triangle. Moreover, she makes you see the world through their eyes!

I highly recommend this novel. Before sharing my brief review, let me share my favorite quote with you: "They laughed too, even Rose Dear shook her head and smiled, and suddenly the world was right side up. Violet learned what she had forgotten until this moment: that laughter is serious. More serious, more complicated than tears." Toni Morrison, Jazz

It wasn't easy to select just one quote because there are so many memorable passages in this novel. I posted about Jazz several times on my Instagram account and even blogged about it. What's more, it inspired me to paint a painting. This novel enchanted me like few others have before. It made me think deeply and challenged me on both an intellectual and emotional level. I loved every minute of reading it!

It is my third novel by Toni Morrison. Prior to Jazz, I had read Beloved and Paradise. In many ways, it reminded me of the latter. Even the author herself compared this novel with Beloved, and I must admit I drew many parallels in my own mind as well. One thing is for sure: this novel is as haunting and emotionally exhausting as Beloved. It requires not only concentration of the mind but also that of the heart. Morrison put her heart and soul into writing this, as all great writers do. However, unless you're prepared to really open your heart to this one, you might as well skip it. This book deserves your full attention.

I won't share a long review here because I have yet to write one, but I think this short review says enough for now. If I find time to write a longer review, I'll just add it to this one. However, I must stress one more thing: despite all the sadness this novel contains, it managed to make me feel more hopeful about life! It made me believe that the complexity of the human heart is a beautiful thing. Our ability to forgive and to fight for those we love is something to be admired.

This novel made me think that there is more to life... and that's the best recommendation I can give it (and any novel). Jazz teaches us how important love is... and what lesson is more important than that one?

Check out my original impressions on my other social accounts:

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I first read Jazz in 1993. It was the very first Toni Morrison novel that came into my literary exploration. At that time, I had a certain liking for it, yet I was well aware that my knowledge about Reconstruction, the Great Migration, or the life in Harlem during the 1920s was rather limited. As a result, I didn't truly fathom the depth and essence of what I was reading. Little did I know that Toni Morrison regarded it as #2 in her Beloved Trilogy. The third installment, Paradise, I had also read some time ago and had the intention of rereading it.

Beloved was published in 1987, Jazz in 1992, and Paradise in 1997. Now, I find it quite interesting to know this chronological order.

The characters in Jazz arrived in Harlem as part of the Great Migration, fleeing the oppressive Jim Crow south that emerged after Reconstruction. During that era, most of the rights granted to former enslaved Blacks by the Federal government were unjustly refuted by both White supremacists/former plantation owners and poor whites. When they first set foot in New York, the city initially seemed like the Promised Land. Although there was still racial prejudice lingering, they were no longer burdened with the arduous task of picking cotton, living in简陋的 shacks, and facing the constant threat of being beaten and lynched.

Nevertheless, each of them carried the weight of trauma along with their hopes.

In her Foreward to the 2004 reprint of Jazz, Ms Morrison stated, "I was interested in rendering a period in African American life through a specific lens--one that would reflect the content and characteristics of its music (romance, freedom of choice, doom, seduction, anger.)"

And that's precisely what she accomplished, and in such a brilliant and masterful way. All of the characters' actions became comprehensible, especially because she ingeniously crafted back stories for each one and skillfully layered them within the present narrative.

She doesn't spoon-feed the reader. One needs to pay close attention. So, this time around, I read with greater care and was rewarded with a rich, compassionate story that delved deep into the themes of romance, freedom of choice, doom, seduction, and anger. She artfully infused the elements of jazz into her prose, creating a literary masterpiece that truly comes alive.