Rating: 
Summary: a masterpiece
Review: Actually, the word "masterpiece" doesn't do this book justice. Toni Morrison, the author, has produced a staggering literary accomplishment with "Song of Solomon," in my opinion.
The genius of the book is that Morrison's account of the life of Macon "Milkman" Dead, a black man, and his family and friends, also exclusively black, almost absolutely ignores white people (white people like me). I'm sure that was her goal, and she accomplished it well.
Morrison also does a splendid job developing the characters in the book. (In my opinion, Pilate is the hero.)
This book has it all: love and hate, revenge and mercy, life and death, friendship and betrayal, regret and indifference, hope and hopelessness, happiness and despair, et al. In short, the book is about life.
Morrison, at least in this book, is what I call a "flat-footed author." That is, she seeks not to impress the reader with her strong vocabulary.
But make no mistake: this book is complex. "Milkman" seeks his family's roots, and it takes him on a journey-the journey of life.
Buy it. Read it. Read it again. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably Beautiful and Painful, Yet Still Captivating!
Review: I do not know what I can add that has not already been said thus far by many of the reviewers before me. However, I will start with my history with this book.
Twenty years ago (!), and long before Oprah made Toni Morrison a household name, I was assigned the Song of Solomon in American Literature II as a freshman in college. Although I was an avid reader at that time, I approached this book with trepidation and with the drudgery of something assigned and not chosen. Even though many books I read that semester changed my initial expectation of a certain book from chore to gratification, I still approached Song of Solomon with unease. Neither the description found on the back of my paperback copy, nor the title itself remotely piqued my curiosity with regard to the story contained within. As such, basing my prejudice on this limited knowledge provided by the aforementioned description on the back of the book, and the prosaic titles of the class lectures in the course syllabus scheduled during its reading, I was sure my encounter with it would be a languishing and difficult journey through a morass of metaphors and symbolism.
With the above preamble, you can imagine my utter surprise and delight as I read this even for the first time (I just finished my fourth reading). Yes, there are metaphors and symbolism, but I daresay that as purely a captivating tale, they are not even needed. However, taking everything together, this book becomes an incredibly rich and vibrant story; the imagery, symbolism, and history only enhance it further to the point where the reader's experience with this novel is transformed into-as one reviewer put it-"literary ecstasy".
The story and the depth of the meaning within Song of Solomon--which will be unique to each reader--simultaneously captivates, saddens, and astonishes, as the reader is pulled in by a masterful weaving of story and substance. And when, without any awareness of its arrival, the reader finds themselves immersed into the story, it encourages and beckons relentlessly to continue to its brilliant ending. An ending which is so perfect so as to expect nothing more, yet so ingeniously open so as to allow one to ponder endlessly its many suggestions.
Rating:
Summary: Tears, ebony tears, that turn to type and illuminate....
Review: I've read SOS going on four or five times now, floored, awestruck, enraptured each time, every twist and turn a new surprise arrives. Milkman is a wonderful archetype for a Black man searching for what he can claim as his own. His mind, his body, his sex, money? What is his and not tainted by the past, by racism, by internal family feuding? This is what I call a "Patience Book", you have to sit with it the way you would sit with a child on a Sunday afternoon. Patience. You have to breathe in rhythm with this book. Morrison is one of those few writers that it's silly to ask all of your questions of even after you finish the book. Pick it right back up and breathe, savor each page, have patience. It is not an easy read for it is literature and you are reading, truly reading. Not surfing through pulp fiction knwoing that the hero lives, the heroine is saved and everybody sleeps well on the last page. Uh uh. Patience. What else but patience could you use to understand Magdalene, Pilate, Corinthians? My all time, all time, all time favorite literary scene that chills me, tears me up, knocks me around hard and then uplifts me: Pilate at the funeral. "That was my baby, That's my baby, AND SHE WAS LOVED!" Honey, welcome to real African American literature, impossible to translate to film for this is patience reading. Patience, free at last, free at last!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written and with a message
Review: In Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison takes the view - a common one - that we have to know our history to know ourselves. I don't really agree but in this case it makes a great story. The characters in her novel don't make calculations or follow strategies: they do what they have to do. The history that motivates their actions is an emotional, personal one. Morrison's preoccupation with this personal history is reflected in her use of unusual names: names that are given "from yearnings, gestures, flaws, events, mistakes, weaknesses . . . Macon Dead, Sing Byrd, Crowell Byrd, Pilate, Reba, Hagar, Magdalene, First Corinthians, Milkman, Guitar . . . ." Her characters are powerful, larger-than-life people, and clashes between them quickly escalate to life-and-death struggles. At the same time, they have a great capacity for empathy and self-sacrifice. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A complex and imaginative novel
Review: Mrs Morrison has produced a complex, wonderful and imaginative story of epic dimension about the Dead family and thus more generally about the African American experience in the USA. On the one hand, the reader follows the story of Macon Dead and his son who has the same name and who marries Ruth Foster, daughter of Dr Foster, and their children Lena, First Corinthians and Macon "Milkman" and on the other hand the story of Macon Dead's sister Pilate Dead, her daughter Reba and her grand-daughter Hagar.
Thus the plot spans over nearly a century and one is dazzled by the family's spellbinding search for their past and their roots which ends dramatically on the top of Solomon's Leap.
Mrs Morrison put a lot of truth, wisdom and humour in her narrative and "Song of Solomon" is bound to become a classic American tale of the 20th century.
Rating:
Summary: Song of Solomon Surpasses Expectations
Review: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison is a novel that everyone should read. It leads us through the family history, failures, successes, and self-discovery of Macon Dead III (Milkman). Morrison allows the reader a glimpse into the culture and everyday life of black families. We are along for the ride while Milkman discovers mysteries from the past and develops himself into a man. The reader is also given the opportunity to see racism in the worst degree. The retaliation of the Seven Days represents the actions of many early violent civil rights groups. Morrison deals with everyday issues such as love, rejection, depression, and obsession in her telling of Hagar. She depicts the strong bonds made between women through Pilate, Ruth, Hagar, and Reba. The theme of flying is present throughout the novel and relates the characters with slave stories and the belief that humans could fly to escape hardships. Song of Solomon is an excellent novel that I recommend to anyone looking for a book involving drama, mystery, and excitement. Even though Toni Morrison is portrayed as an author whose works represent that black community, Song of Solomon can be related to the lives of anyone: a family history.
Rating: 
Summary: A Morrison Classic With Fewer Tears
Review: Song of Solomon fits well into the classic Toni Morrison genre of heart-wrenchingly poetic and painfully beautiful stories, but it is a bit different from her other works at the same time. The main character of this novel is a male, but the deeper thematic undercurrents channel strongly towards feminism (or in this case womanism, black women's feminism). It's a story of finding yourself and your roots, your true name. The story follows a North to South journey for a young black man. Filled with symbolism and mythology, the novel is rich and engrossing. The motif is based on old stories of African American slaves who shed their bonds and flew back to Africa. Your interpretation of this novel will lead you in one of two directions: did they fly or did they perish? The novel poses this question to you in an eloquent and beautiful way. In the end, your interpretation of this novel may tell you something about yourself and what you believe in.
Rating:
Summary: Song of Solomon isn't just literature, it is art
Review: Song of Solomon like many of Toni Morrison's novels is a beautiful story, yet filled with tragedy. Wonderfully interwoven themes of racism, abandonment, damaged family relations, and searching for identity are apparent in our world, which makes them still relevant in today's society. Song of Solomon is also similar to her other books in the richness of symbols and the freedom they give to open interpretations. All throughout the book she uses carefully chosen literary elements to help the story unfold and capture the characters and their experiences in an artisitc way. Unlike the majority of her works, the protagonist is a male character known as Milkman, and the story is told in a limited thrid person view. Although she writes in an easy way to understand, the novel flowed and was filled with metaphors and poetic language.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Be Fooled
Review: This book has nothing to do with the title, "Song of Solomon." After reading just three chapters I had become nauseated and refused to continue. If do not want your mind invaded and your spirit contaminated you will not read this book. I am appauled of how a person could make a mockery of the Bible and may God have mercy on her. If you decide to read this book or is assigned to read this book and you feel uncomfortable and offended please do not hesitate to refuse to read this book and let the board of education know about it and warn others not to read this book. Regardless is if Oprah has this listed on her book club or that Toni Morrison has been praise to be a important Author, Don't Be Fooled!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Toni Morrison broke the mold when she wrote this book. Song of Solomon is a reflection of not just African-American spirituality, but of the spirituality of Americans as a whole. She reminds us of the meaning of identity, and the power of hope. Macon (Milkman) Dead, the hero, is the spoiled, lazy, and aimless son of a rich black man in Michigan. When learns from his father of a treasure his aunt Pilate had hidden years before, he goes on a search to find it. However, nothing in his life could prepare him for the journey on which he was about to embark. During this journey, he encounters some of the most colorful characters he would ever meet--his mentor and friend, Guitar, his cousins, and a whole host of other people. While I will not ruin the rest of the story for those who have not read this book, I will remind you that the only way to really enjoy this book (or any other book) is to keep an open mind, and expect the unexpected. With this book, Toni Morrison has earned her place in American women's literature and African-American literature.
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