I've had a copy of this book ever since I took a college English course in high school.

Re-reading it recently was truly an awakening experience. I discovered that it is extremely useful and highly inspiring when it comes to writing about PLACE.

Morrison's portrayal of the community known as "The Bottom" is not only vivid but also strongly metaphorical.

The ensemble cast of characters is another remarkable aspect. Each character bears distinctive traits, which makes it easy for the reader to distinguish between so many people in such a condensed story.

I particularly liked how the story continues even after the title-character expires. This adds an interesting layer to the narrative and keeps the reader engaged.

Although this isn't my favorite Morrison book, it holds a special place in my heart as it was the first of hers that I read.

The way Morrison weaves time, place, and characters together is truly masterful and well worth studying for any aspiring writer.

It serves as a great example of how to create a rich and immersive fictional world.

Song of Solomon is my favorite Toni Morrison book. It is a masterpiece that delves deep into the African American experience. The story follows the life of Milkman Dead, a young man on a journey of self-discovery. Through his adventures, we witness his growth and transformation. Morrison's writing is both beautiful and powerful, painting vivid pictures of the characters and their surroundings. The themes of love, family, identity, and race are explored with great depth and sensitivity. The book is not only a captivating read but also a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. It makes you question your own beliefs and values and forces you to look at the world from a different perspective. Overall, Song of Solomon is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

Song of Solomon is truly amazing. It takes the reader on a profound journey through the life and experiences of its characters, exploring themes of identity, family, and love in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The Bluest Eye is also an amazing work. Toni Morrison's powerful prose delves deep into the complex issues of race, beauty standards, and self-hatred, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

However, Sula is a bit slow in comparison. While it still contains Morrison's signature literary brilliance, the pacing may feel a bit sluggish at times, perhaps requiring more patience from the reader to fully appreciate its depth and meaning.

I read this for English.

However, I must say that I truly loved it.

It is not just an ordinary piece of writing but a great read.

The story or the content within it had the power to engage me from the very beginning.

It took me on a journey of emotions and thoughts, making me completely invested in it.

The language used was vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture in my mind.

Each word seemed to be carefully chosen to convey the intended meaning and create a captivating atmosphere.

I found myself unable to put it down until I had finished reading the entire thing.

It was one of those rare books or articles that leave a lasting impression and make you want to recommend it to others.

Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great English read.

This is a re-read for me.

I read it years ago and had a longing to experience it once more.

I was firmly convinced that I would read it with a greater sense of appreciation, and indeed I did.

She was an exquisitely beautiful writer.

Her words seemed to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

The story she wove was captivating, pulling me in from the very first sentence.

As I re-read, I noticed details that I had missed before, adding even more depth to the narrative.

It was as if I was uncovering a hidden treasure with each turn of the page.

The emotions she evoked were palpable, making me laugh, cry, and everything in between.

This re-reading was truly a wonderful experience, and I am so glad that I decided to pick up this book again.

It has reminded me of the power of great literature and the joy it can bring.

I will surely cherish this re-read and look forward to many more in the future.

The Bluest Eye is a novel that is both confusing and sad.

It tells the story of a young African American girl named Pecola who believes that having blue eyes will make her beautiful and loved.

The novel explores themes of race, beauty, and identity in a way that is both complex and thought-provoking.

The language used in the novel is often poetic and lyrical, which adds to its beauty but can also make it difficult to understand at times.

The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging, but the ending is deeply tragic and leaves the reader with a sense of sadness and hopelessness.

Overall, The Bluest Eye is a powerful and important novel that challenges readers to think about the ways in which society defines beauty and how those definitions can have a profound impact on our lives.

What "passing" meant can vary depending on the context.

In some cases, passing might refer to successfully completing a test or exam. It implies achieving a certain level of knowledge or skill to meet the requirements.

For example, students strive to pass their courses to progress in their studies.

Passing can also mean being accepted or approved.

When applying for a job, for instance, candidates hope to pass the interview and be offered the position.

In social situations, passing might involve fitting in or being accepted by a particular group.

People may try to pass as belonging to a certain culture or social class.

Overall, the meaning of passing is multifaceted and can have different implications depending on the situation.

It often involves meeting specific criteria, being accepted, or achieving a certain goal.

Thought Provoking

In our daily lives, we often encounter various situations and experiences that make us stop and think. These thought-provoking moments can have a profound impact on our perspectives and understanding of the world.

Sometimes, it could be a simple conversation with a friend that challenges our beliefs or makes us see things from a different angle. Other times, it might be a book, a movie, or an article that presents new ideas and concepts that we haven't considered before.

Thought-provoking experiences can also come from within ourselves. When we take the time to reflect on our own actions, decisions, and emotions, we can gain valuable insights and learn from our mistakes.

These moments of thought can lead to personal growth and development, as they force us to question our assumptions and expand our horizons. They can also inspire us to take action and make positive changes in our lives and in the world around us.

In conclusion, thought-provoking experiences are an important part of our lives. They allow us to think deeply, gain new perspectives, and grow as individuals. We should embrace these moments and use them as opportunities to learn and make a difference.

Finally finished reading Song of Solomon and really wanted to write a review.

If I were to rate these stories, without a doubt, I would put Song of Solomon in the first place, followed by The Bluest Eye and then Sula. Make no mistake, all three stories are truly amazing and captivating.

Song of Solomon, surprisingly, can be extremely gripping. There were moments when I was eager to read because I was deeply interested in what was going to happen next. The ending was outstanding, leaving questions and room for interpretation. I truly enjoyed the growth of Milkman's character. He grew on me throughout the novel, and I liked his evolution regarding his view of freedom and how society and he himself saw him as a young black man in America. Most of Morrison's characters grow on you as you witness their complexity and understand the reasons behind their behaviors.

The Bluest Eye, I think, is the most difficult to read due to the rape/incest of Pecola by her father. The themes of body hatred and internalized racism are also incredibly tough at times, but Morrison shows the impact of generational trauma.

For Sula, I felt that this had the loosest plot, but I did find the themes of motherhood, strained daughter/mother bonds, female friendship, and trauma bonding very interesting and well-handled.

Like all of Morrison's works, these stories are meant to be examined and viewed from multiple perspectives. The characters always intrigue me, and I want to learn more about their motivations and backgrounds. I also love how Morrison often circles back to the themes introduced earlier and presents them in a new light.

Overall, Morrison is a wonderful writer who tackles very tough topics that are still relevant challenges today. She has strong female characters and is not afraid to show the harsh realism that black men and women faced in 1920-1960s America and even to this day.

The Bluest Eye:

The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison's inaugural novel. Despite not attaining critical or commercial acclaim upon its initial publication in 1970, it is now revered as a masterpiece in numerous literary arenas. It holds great significance in Morrison's body of work and is also a seminal novel of our era. Set in Morrison's hometown of Lorraine, Ohio in the 1940s, the narrative confronts the ruinous impacts of racism on an eleven-year-old black girl named Pecola Breedlove. Morrison delves into Pecola's fixation on desiring blue eyes as a means to obliterate her self-perceived ugliness. What defines beauty? How does the concept of ugliness contaminate our minds? Morrison challenges society's propensity to marginalize beauty and make all those and everything outside that realm feel inferior. Rich in poetic prose and poignant emotion, The Bluest Eye is among Morrison's most widely read novels.

Sula:

Sula is Toni Morrison's second novel, first published in 1973. The book garnered high critical praise for its ensemble of unforgettable characters and its exquisite literary craftsmanship, a hallmark of each of Morrison's novels. Morrison's many distinct characters converge around the central relationship between two strong-willed heroines in a small black town in Ohio. Nel Wright opts to remain firmly rooted in her community, while her childhood friend Sula Peace departs for adventure beyond her rural upbringing. Years later, Sula returns to her hometown as a transformed self. The two women find themselves engaged in a fierce rivalry over how their divergent choices have molded their lives. A rich and rewarding novel with prose so smooth and lucid that it defines the standard of excellence, Sula examines the diverging paths of two black women as they strive to rekindle a friendship shattered by the modern world.

Song of Solomon:

With the publication of her third novel Song of Solomon in 1977, Morrison solidified her position as one of the preeminent writers of her time. The book was her first to achieve widespread commercial success and also earned Morrison her first major literary accolade, the National Book Critics Circle Award. Song of Solomon is a magnificent and sweeping narrative that explores the remarkable vitality of family heritage. With her trademark talent for creating memorable characters, Morrison chronicles the journey of the novel's central protagonist, Milkman Dead, as he embarks on a quest to discover the roots of his family lineage. As few writers can, Morrison brings to life a black community teeming with myth and magic, love and hate, and good and evil. The lyricism of her language enables the story to transcend a specific time and place, encapsulating a world of ghosts and visions that evokes the same kind of power found in the works of Faulkner and Steinbeck. With the success of Song of Solomon, Morrison elevated her status to that of one of America's most important 20th Century literary figures.

Against my better judgment, I decided to read just The Bluest Eye on the suggestion of my ex-mother-in-law.

To be honest, I already had a strong dislike for her. And after reading The Bluest Eye, that dislike only intensified.

I found the book to be terribly boring. I simply couldn't understand what all the fuss was about Toni Morrison.

Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't seem to get into the story or connect with the characters.

The writing style didn't appeal to me either. It felt disjointed and hard to follow at times.

I had high hopes for the book, especially since Toni Morrison is such a well-known and respected author.

But unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations. I'm not sure if I'll ever give her books another chance.

Maybe I'm missing something, but for now, I'll stick to reading authors whose work I truly enjoy.

I firmly believe that this is an absolute classic masterpiece.

It truly showcases the remarkable talent and creativity of the author. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the writing style is simply captivating.

However, I am rather perplexed as to why it doesn't have a perfect five-star rating.

It seems to me that it more than deserves such a high accolade. Maybe there are some aspects that others might have overlooked or not fully appreciated.

But in my opinion, this work stands out among the rest and should be recognized as the outstanding piece of literature that it is.

I highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for reading and a love for great stories.

It is sure to leave a lasting impression and provide hours of enjoyment.