Jazzy jazz jazzzzzzzzzz

This book is truly outstanding. It's of such high quality that it's a real pity that the first association that pops into my mind whenever I hear the word "jazz" is Fergie singing the national anthem. This book rightfully should be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of jazz. It contains the essence and魅力 of jazz in its pages, captivating the reader and taking them on a musical journey. However, unfortunately, I am unable to rewire my smooth-pea-brain to immediately think of this wonderful book instead.

I hope that with time and more exposure to this book, I can break free from that initial association and truly appreciate the connection between the word "jazz" and this amazing literary work.

Maybe one day, when I hear "jazz," I'll think of the beautiful descriptions, the vivid characters, and the enchanting story that this book has to offer.

Until then, I'll continue to enjoy this book and try to let its jazz-infused magic seep into my consciousness.

Toni Morrison's narrative is pure poetry.

From the omniscient narrator who eventually becomes the protagonist, to all the small and intricate secondary stories that steal the spotlight.

Her words have the power to transport readers to another world, a world filled with vivid characters and complex emotions.

The way she weaves together different storylines and perspectives is truly masterful, creating a rich and multi-layered tapestry of human experience.

Each sentence is carefully crafted, like a precious gem, shining with beauty and meaning.

Morrison's writing is not just a form of entertainment, but a profound exploration of the human condition, a celebration of the power of language and storytelling.

Her works have had a profound impact on literature and continue to inspire generations of readers and writers alike.

Morrison firmly insisted that “the reader work with the author in the construction of the book.” This is indeed the case in her under-appreciated and improvisational follow-up to Beloved. (Washington Post: “The Empress of the Blues has no clothes.”) The plot, which is rather barebones, goes as follows: In 1920s Harlem, a faithless husband commits the act of murdering his teenage lover. In a Faulknerian style, the Great American Author manages to capture the title’s Great American Artform. It is like solo voices colliding into a single thrilling piece, both lyrical and cacophonous. Consider this passage: “He can barely see his knees poking through the holes in his trousers in that light, so what makes him think he can see her hand even if she decides to shove it through the bushes and confirm, once & for all, that she was indeed his mother?” It adds a layer of mystery and complexity to the story, making the reader engage more deeply with the text.

Deltaeite eisopti kai sto Chill and read

Toni Morrison based her novel "Jazz" on the improvisation of jazz. The flow of events and the story wasn't initially clear, but she let her characters freely lead her where they wanted, just as Miles Davis listened to what his musicians were playing and where they were going to improvise the next solo at the same level.



“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

― Toni Morrison



In January 1926, when a promising future appears on the horizon, Joe Trace, a middle-aged traveling salesman, shoots his young lover at a party. His wife, Violet, attacks the dead girl on the day of her funeral, with the intention of hurting her even more. A story of passion that will draw us into the present and past of its characters, of Harlem as a city, but also of the African American community and history itself.

Morrison is inspired by a photograph by the award-winning African American photographer James Van der Zee. Van der Zee photographed the city, Harlem during its renaissance, when African American culture and art were at their peak. In his book "The Harlem Book of the Dead", Van der Zee includes a photograph of a girl in her coffin. The girl has been killed by her lover in secret at a party. No one understood exactly what happened, as the girl herself didn't name him, but asked to be left alone to rest, thus giving him time to escape. The author uses this story as a starting point to create the book that essentially earned her the Nobel Prize in Literature, as the book was published in 1992 and the following year, in 1993, Morrison was awarded the prize.

The past of Joe, as well as Violet, and even the girl who was murdered, Dorcas, comes and goes within Morrison's writing, transporting the reader from the present to the past and back again from one paragraph to another. The anarchy of jazz is evident here. There is no specific plan for how it will move and one era is not separated from another, thus giving a hazy substance to the plot. The story of the residents and of the other African Americans unfolds as Morrison knew it from the stories of her parents and as she herself lived it.

Toni Morrison's "Jazz" is one of her most complex novels. True to her style and the extreme lyricism of her words, in "Jazz" she dares to develop a story where protagonists, witnesses, voices, and times jump around without warning and without much sense.

Just like in the style of music that gives the novel its name, if you are concentrated, you will have no problem following the rhythm and enjoying the development of the story. However, if you lose your focus for an instant, you will have to go back.

On the other hand, this makes the novel even more enjoyable when read for the second time. I did it, almost without meaning to, and since I already knew who was who and who was speaking at each moment, I was able to enjoy the narration more.

Highly recommended, like everything by Morrison.

There is truly an abundance that can be said about this remarkable masterpiece. However, I will strive to be concise and state that Toni Morrison is indubitably one of the greatest writers of all time. The prose within this work is not only rhythmic but also utterly gripping, evoking a feeling that is truly unique and unparalleled.

The aspect that I found most captivating was the setting - Harlem. I might even go as far as to say that I have a profound obsession with the Harlem Renaissance or the New Negro Movement, and Morrison does an excellent job of capturing the harsh realities of Black urban life. The city of Harlem comes alive within the pages of this book, breathing and pulsating with a vitality that is palpable.

Another element that I thoroughly enjoyed was the fact that this book demands that the reader becomes an active participant in the narrative. One must put in the effort to untangle all the intricate threads that are woven throughout. The narrator, too, is an enigma - it could potentially be so many different people, perhaps the author herself, or maybe the city of Harlem, or even the narrative itself. This ambiguity adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the story, making it a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Audio version.

I listened to this book once and then immediately began again. I was truly captivated by Toni's voice and the wonderful jazz music that was infused throughout the novel. However, that is just a part of my reason for rereading. I had to listen twice just to start to understand the depth of the issues presented here. I read this book when I was a young woman, but I didn't understand it at all and as a result, I found it very difficult to read. Even now, it is not an easy read. It is an extremely beautiful read, but not easy.

The theme of JAZZ, I think I understand it now. Jazz delves into the tragic consequences of lost mother love. Throughout the book, this is shown through suicide, accident, abandonment, and deception. The circumstances may vary, but the results are the same. Here, we are presented with the lives of people who are searching for that first love that every baby is entitled to at birth. What can happen when these adult children are denied this most basic need? They often spend their lives searching for it in others.

It is disturbingly exquisite, a work that makes you think deeply about the human condition and the power of love and loss.

I just took a final exam on this book, and my mind was truly amazed by the profound reflections on love that I discovered while writing the essay.

I was thinking about "The Great Gatsby" and "Jazz." In "Jazz," we see the concept of destructive love, as well as the importance of communication within love and the inward orientation towards the other. The last two pages of "Jazz" (228 - 229) are truly remarkable!

The passage describes how it's nice when grown people whisper to each other under the covers. They reach for something beyond, something deep within. They remember the carnival dolls they won and the Baltimore boats they never sailed on. They let the pears hang on the limb, thinking about who else would see their ripeness if they took them away. They are under the covers because they don't have to look at themselves anymore. They are inward toward the other, bound and joined by these memories. This is what lies beneath their undercover whispers.

It makes me realize how complex and beautiful love can be, and how these literary works capture its essence in such a powerful way.

So so so so good!!

This simple expression truly encapsulates the essence of something remarkable. It implies a level of excellence that is beyond ordinary.

When we say "So so so so good," we are expressing our extreme satisfaction and admiration. It could refer to a delicious meal that tantalizes our taste buds, a beautiful piece of art that leaves us in awe, or a great performance that moves us deeply.

This phrase can also be used to describe a person's qualities or achievements. Maybe someone has done an outstanding job at work, or they have shown great kindness and compassion. In these cases, "So so so so good" is a fitting way to acknowledge their excellence.

Overall, "So so so so good" is a powerful and evocative phrase that conveys a sense of enthusiasm and appreciation. It is a way to express our highest praise and to let others know that we are truly impressed.

So the next time you encounter something or someone that is truly remarkable, don't hesitate to say "So so so so good!" and let your excitement and admiration shine through.

"Don't ever think that I fell for you, or fell over you. I didn't fall in love, I rose in it." This powerful statement sets the tone for the complex and tragic story that unfolds in "Jazz".

The novel opens in 1926 Harlem, where Morrison delves into the lives of broken families through a tragic love triangle. Middle-aged Joe Trace meets eighteen-year-old Dorcas while selling cosmetics at her aunt's home and soon begins an affair with her. However, when Dorcas tires of him months later, Joe shoots her dead. Violet, Joe's wife, attends the funeral and slashes the dead girl's face with a knife. But surprisingly, weeks later, Violet starts visiting Dorcas's aunt regularly.

Meanwhile, Joe, who isn't arrested for the murder, is consumed by grief for his lost lover. The plot weaves through various perspectives and tenses, connecting the past and present of the love triangle's participants. Morrison masterfully creates a web of fractured identities, showing us the same tragic events from different standpoints and revealing the motivations behind them.

I was truly captivated by the beautiful writing, which felt like a long and enchanting poem. However, it requires careful attention to follow the story. While "Jazz" is undoubtedly a work of literary art, I didn't find it as powerful as Morrison's previous novel, "Beloved". As a result, I felt inclined to rate it slightly lower.

Αμερικανικός Νοτος.

In the early 20th century.

Music everywhere (what a blessing!!), heat, intense emotions and passions - but are all southerners the same;;;

Poverty, crisis - when did we end up in the European South in the early 21st century?

A language outside of my own culture.

The American South in the early 20th century was a place filled with the wonderful presence of music. It was as if music was a constant companion, bringing joy and a sense of life to the region. The heat was palpable, adding to the intensity of the emotions and passions that seemed to run high among the people. However, one might wonder if all southerners were truly the same. There were also challenges such as poverty and crisis. It makes one question when and how the situation in the European South in the early 21st century came to be. And then there is the aspect of a language that is outside of one's own culture, which adds another layer of complexity and exploration to the whole experience.

This is the fifth book by Morrison that I've read consecutively, and it's by far my least favorite.

Morrison persists in exploring fascinating themes. Although there were certain sections that I found captivating, overall, this one didn't grip me as firmly as her other works. I perceived this one to be more optimistic. We've advanced beyond the slavery era, and African Americans are migrating to cities. This particular story is set in NYC around 1926, and there's a transition from physical to psychological violence. Morrison continues to eschew a linear narrative, and the intersecting lives of the characters along with their backstories impart layered textures to this tale.

Just before reading Jazz, I'd read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Interestingly, one of the characters in Jazz is named Violet/Violent. Could this be a nod by Yarros to Morrison?

The Bluest Eye - 5 stars

Sula - 4 stars

Song of Solomon - 5 stars

Beloved (Beloved Trilogy #1) - 4 stars

Jazz (Beloved Trilogy #2) - 3 stars