I wish I could give it 3 1/2 stars because I truly did enjoy reading it.

It's definitely a page turner that keeps you engaged from start to finish. However, I just couldn't overlook the fact that while it was highly character-driven, I didn't think it was plot-driven enough. There were numerous themes and subplots that I felt weren't adequately explained or integrated into the main story.

And what exactly was the main story? Well, that was a bit confusing too. It initially seemed to be about Valerian and Margaret, but then it completely transformed into a tale of the romance between Jade and Son, without really revisiting Valerian and Margaret or providing any resolution for them.

At times, it was quite perplexing because Morrison often used different names and titles for the same characters, forcing me to go back and figure out who she was referring to.

Despite all that, her central characters are all well-rounded. They are all dislikeable in their own ways, yet at the same time, you can't help but sympathize with them, just like real human beings. I definitely had a clear picture in my mind of what each of them looked like and sounded like, which is surely a measure of excellent character development.

But the end did sort of disappoint me. I was so happy that Jade left Son, but there was no resolution for either of them. And the whole thing about Therese leaving Son to climb the rocks by the swamp made absolutely no sense to me at all.

I'm left with a bit of a mixed feeling about this book. While the character development was great, the plot and the ending left something to be desired.

Toni Morrison is truly amazing. In my opinion, she is the greatest of all time. Seriously, which other author could manage to keep me thoroughly entertained and completely awestruck on every single page for five consecutive books?

I must begin all reviews of her writings with nothing but total praise and veneration because her work simply demands no less.

I didn't anticipate enjoying this one as much since Tar Baby is one of her less popular books. However, as it turns out, this is now my favorite of her books so far, and not only that, it has become one of my all-time favorite books, period.

Goodness me, the story was just wonderful. Jadine and Son: **Here I could write a never-ending paragraph about how much I adored them, how breathtakingly gorgeous they both were, how my heart bled at the end, and oh my god, that chapter when they were in New York. Dear God in heaven, please do send me my own sexy man to strut around New York with too!!*

I digress.

I should have known that Toni Morrison would pen a love story like no other, far removed from the usual corny and clichéd drivel.

Welcome Tar Baby, welcome to the club of the small number of books that I reread every year for obvious reasons (I love them ten times over). This book! This book! It is absolutely magnificent!!

Toni Morrison, I love you. That's an understatement.

Toni Morrison's "Beauty and the Beast" is a captivating work that goes beyond the traditional tale. It is filled with anthropomorphic details that bring the story to life.

There is a candy tychoon, a greenhouse, a radio soap opera, a sealskin coat, and a longing for apples. The presence of a beauty and a beast is joined by the vibrant Caribbean setting, which is both lush and green, yet also harsh and gorgeous. Christmas adds a touch of festivity, while a family of rich white Americans with their ideas about the black characters provides an interesting dynamic.

Morrison delves into the influence of "whiteness" on the black characters and the ways in which men and women affect each other. The questions of what men expect from women and vice versa are explored, leaving the reader to wonder if it is all worthwhile in the end.

Since reading "Wide Sargasso Sea," I have been in search of another literary Caribbean novel, and this one satisfied that desire. It may be Morrison's hottest novel, a description I never thought I'd use. Those seeking historical fiction will likely be disappointed. However, her prose is as beautiful as ever, with Chapter 7 being an almost standalone masterpiece. The words that flow from the lips of her characters are nothing short of perfection. Every new Toni Morrison novel I complete becomes my favorite, and this one is no different.

Toni Morrison's work is truly remarkable for me!

The first third of her novel, with its vivid and rich language描绘了the island and its surroundings so beautifully that it had me completely captivated. It was as if I was right there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

However, I haven't fully made up my mind about the character of Son and the ending of the story. Son presents an interesting and complex personality, and I'm still trying to figure out his role and significance in the overall narrative. The ending, too, left me with some unanswered questions and a sense of ambiguity.

Nevertheless, Toni Morrison's writing is so powerful and engaging that it makes me want to keep reading and exploring her works further. I'm eager to see how she develops her characters and storylines in future novels and how she continues to explore the themes that are so central to her writing.

I’m just going to say it: if you claim to love metaphor but haven’t read a Toni Morrison novel, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

The language and symbolism in Tar Baby are truly remarkable. It elevates the novel from a wonderfully complex and often heartbreaking exploration of race and class relations to a truly thought-compelling piece of art.

At one point while reading this book, I had to stop and reread the folktale of Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby. I encourage anyone who thinks but isn't sure that they remember the story to do the same. Upon rereading, I realized that a tar baby is something cute and sweet that will trap you once you touch it, holding on and not letting go. And of course, this is the perfect allegory for almost all of the relationships in the novel, from one angle or another.

Speaking of angles, I really appreciated all of the various points of view in the story. Morrison not only gives readers a round-robin view of the situation but also validates and undermines every single character in different aspects. This helps the reader see that even the history of one small group of characters cannot be black and white, right and wrong. The shades of gray are waiting there if you look close enough.

I thought that the love story and aftermath of Son and Jadine were beautifully written and examined. It wasn't just a silly matter of "oh, I hope they work out." As readers, we got to see all of the struggles, mistakes, and triumphs of these characters and understand that maybe there isn't "one right way" for two people like Son and Jadine to be together.

And finally, I absolutely loved all of the tiny metaphors and repetitions of language scattered throughout the book like treasures. The maiden aunts' hair fog, the emperor butterflies and avocado trees watching everyone, and the salt of the Earth female carpenter ants who only needed a man once every hundred generations. This was truly a delight to read and has made me eager to approach my next Morrison novel with bated breath and excitement in my toes.

I'm truly glad that I happened to read this book around the same time as "Garden by the Sea". There are so many aspects to think about, such as control, time, duty, ambivalent loyalties, and of course, gardening.

The passages in this book are simply remarkable. Morrison is, without a doubt, the very best when it comes to writing.

Just consider the opening lines: "A circle of trees". It immediately sets a certain tone and draws the reader in.

Then there's the description of how it feels to look at someone you're in love with. Morrison has this amazing ability to capture the essence of such emotions in a way that few others can.

And let's not forget the "haunted edges - that - are - centres of places". This unique phrase adds an element of mystery and depth to the story, making it even more captivating.

Overall, this book is a literary masterpiece that will leave you thinking and reflecting long after you've turned the last page.

This is a solid, high three stars.

I came across this novel, and to my surprise, it didn't have a single clear direction like "Song of Solomon" and "God Help the Child". Instead, it delved into asking important questions about an excessive number of topics.

The writing style was engaging, and the setting was vivid, which I truly enjoyed. However, not a single character managed to really grip me and hold my attention throughout.

Moreover, the ambiguous ending left me feeling unsatisfied.

Despite all this, I did have a certain level of enjoyment while reading it. But I don't anticipate remembering "Tar Baby" in the same way I have remembered the other works of Morrison that I've read.

It's a novel that has its strengths and weaknesses, and while it may not be as memorable as some of her other masterpieces, it still offers an interesting exploration of various themes.

Tar Baby is admittedly not one of my favorite Toni Morrison books.

It seems to oscillate somewhere between the experimentalism of Beloved and the accessibility of Song of Solomon. However, it doesn't manage to excel in either aspect particularly well.

The first 100 pages, in particular, are an incredible slog. It reminds me of that frustrating phenomenon of being out with a group of individuals where they all know each other better than you know them. They keep retelling those 'Remember when...' stories for what feels like the eightieth time, and yet those stories don't have even an eighth of the spectacle they assume.

It is rarely entirely clear what the connections are between the characters of this story. Only the middle section is truly interesting. The love story that is hidden somewhere within the narrative is hardly what I would consider notable or touching.

Nonetheless, the dialogue-heavy novel is technically well written, as one would expect from the talented Morrison. Her command of language and ability to create engaging conversations are still evident, even if the overall story doesn't quite reach the heights of some of her other works.

Four out of the six books that I gave five stars to last year were written by Toni Morrison.

Her works have truly left a profound impact on me.

The way she weaves stories and creates complex, vivid characters is simply remarkable.

Each of her books seems to offer a unique perspective on life, race, and human nature.

Given the high quality of the books I've already read by her, I am determined to read everything she has ever written.

I'm excited to explore the other works in her literary oeuvre and discover the new worlds and ideas she has to offer.

So much to say.

I truly love how Toni Morrison has this remarkable ability to zoom all the way in and all the way out.

She shows us that the way we live on this earth is intricately connected to how we love and are loved, as well as how we look in the mirror and relate to others.

It's a profound realization that all life existing on the margins of capitalism is sustained by the limitless care of those it unfortunately kills.

And it's an absolute truth that it will always take a rotten heart to hoard money.

Morrison's works make us think deeply about these aspects of our lives and society, challenging us to look beyond the surface and understand the complex web of relationships and values that shape our world.

Her writing is a powerful reminder that we should strive to love more, care more, and not let the pursuit of wealth and material possessions corrupt our hearts.

I truly adored this book to a great extent.

I have absolutely no idea regarding the ending, yet apart from that, I was completely in love with it (to such a degree that I don't even mind).

The scenes within the book are simply excellent.

The drama unfolds in a captivating manner, and the rhetoric used is truly engaging.

The way the author subverts all the common tropes and plays with them is truly remarkable.

It is just a fierce and intense novel that is filled with so much chaos and excitement!

Overall, it is a book that has left a lasting impression on me and one that I would highly recommend to others.

“At some point in life, the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph it, paint it, or even remember it. It is simply enough. There is no need to keep any record of it, and you don't have to share it with someone or tell it to anyone. When that moment arrives – that moment of letting go – you do so because you are able to. The world will always be there. While you sleep, it will be there. When you wake, it will still be there. So you can sleep peacefully, and there is every reason to wake up.”

The book is set on the Isle de Chevaliers, a fictional island off the coast of Dominica in the Caribbean. It begins in a light-hearted manner. The prologue gives a hint of the chaos that is about to unfold, but the first chapter feels almost Wodehousian as the “exotic” setting is developed and the characters interact with one another. Slowly but surely, the lines that divide them start to become visible. Morrison delves into their conflicts and disaffections, their secrets and histories, always within the context of their race, sex, and class. These crucial markers, aside from defining their identity and their view of the world, also shape their mutual behavior. The arrival of Son disrupts their precarious balance, and old wounds reopen.

The book poses relevant questions such as whether social mobility can erase the class of your birth, whether a change in circumstances can smooth over your origin, and if love can overcome the obvious differences between individuals. It drives home the fact that no matter how convivial and amiable the relationship may seem, the imbalance of power will always rear its head, and the status quo will reestablish itself. Additionally, the tropical setting is conducive to an exploration of a few fantastical elements that play a role in the off-kilter ending of what is otherwise a fantastic novel.