Their Eyes Were Watching God

Rating:
Summary: "blacklove?!"
Review: On the back cover of my edition of the book, there is a quote that refers to the novel as "the most exemplary novel of Blacklove that we have." At first, I hadn't the slightest idea what this meant; the actually struck me as being kind of funny. After reading it though, the meaning started to become clear. Hurston's characters in this book are portrayed as people, rather than just black people. Hurston shows their disagreements, loves, and wishes as belonging to real people, that exist in their own right, rather than as an oppressed underclass, or a contrast to the white world. Racial struggle is, in fact, rarely mentioned in the book. After I read this, I started on Native Son, and in the first five pages I saw more references to oppression and inequality and so forth than in Huston's entire book. With some minor story changes, and a change of the dialect, the story could be about any group of people, as the plot does not depend on everyone's emotions being entirely fixed on the one idea of a racially unjust society.
Hurston's other achievement here, I think, in addition to the universal feling of the story, the contrast of two rich voices. The blend of the "pure" English of the narration and the black dialect voice of the characters comes out stronger than if either had been used exclusively.
I was supposed to read this book for English class last year, but didn't get very far into it. I picked it up again later though, and I'm glad I did.

Rating:
Summary: There are not enough stars......
Review: There are not enough stars to give this book... period. I have often wished that Spike Lee would choose this book to do a movie on. I don't know how he would get the Okee Fanokee(hope spelling is right)swamp to rise like it did in the book, and perhaps he could never do the story justice, but it should be brought to the screen. Vanessa Williams is just right for the lead, and once I would have cast Wesley Snipes as Tea Cake, but now I might cast Will Smith. This book will affirm your life, it is wonderful. A must read on any list.

Rating:
Summary: Black folk literature - with a dash of feminism!
Review: In "Their Eyes," Hurston uses simple words to paint a stunning setting and story in the South, all from the eyes of a woman. This novel provides something that I've never quite tasted before in black literature: feminism. It's subtle, albeit, even hidden, but it's there. The main character, Janie, initially seems to contradict all typical ideas of independence and strength as our heroine, but by the end of the novel, we feel a comanding sense of sisterhood with her...and begin to understand all the dynamics of her life. The author's use of slang and written dialect gives the story flare - you may find that you're mumbling to yourself in the same manner as the characters! I can't even begin to go into all of the reasons why this book is a "MUST READ" for anyone...it's unique, emotionally gripping, and you won't be able to put it down. In fact, you'll finish it in a couple of days! Take my word for it, as my opinion of this author and her novels is humbly accompanied by many famous authors of our time: enjoy this story that Miss Zora has spun for us!

Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: Zora Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God is an amazing heartfelt novel about a young black women attempting to find her herself growing up in the Deep South. Hurston. The novel follows the life of Janie from a young girl to an elderly woman as she follows path after path down a journey of self-discovery. Each man that she marries seems to offer a new direction on the path and yet most do not offer the complete sense of fulfillment for which she seeks. Hurston seems to be able bring this out of the reader and allow them to contemplate their own sense of fulfillment in life.
Yet the language of the novel is very difficult to read at times, I found that it only added to the feel of the story. It brings the story alive and throws you into the world in which the characters are living. It feels as though you know and understand Janie and can truly relate to the characters in the story.
It was an amazing piece of literature that I truly enjoyed.

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Summary: Dialect
Review: I believe this book is one of the best I've read due to the fact of the dialect and use of language because if readers read the content out loud, readers can experience how they talked and almost how they felt. I thouroughly enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: The novel is about Janie Crawford, a woman living in Eaton, Florida. This novel starts off by explaining Janie's life from when she was a young girl to the present time, and by the end of the book she has brought you up to date. This novel showed excelent description of the characters and of the situations they face. It portrays the life of most black women of that time period. It is a way for Zora Neale Hurston to tell her story. It was very interesting and it made you feel as if you were watching it right in front of you!

Rating:
Summary: didn't live up to the hype
Review: I was told I HAD to read this book. That is was the original book about the Black American Woman's experience. Yet, I did not find it engaging. The characters were poorly developed. While the story itself was a good one, and I understand that in its time it was remarkable, I did not find this novel impressive. Frankly, I did not care much about the characters because I barely knew them.

Rating:
Summary: Hurston's Dialect Makes The Story A Classic
Review: Even though Zora Neale Hurston's use of Southern, black language can be hard to understand through the beginning of the book, it allows readers to feel like they are actually a part of the story. Whith the dialect getting easier to read and comprend, the plot becomes more intriguing and interesting. Through the character Janie, we are able to see the life of women during those times and how they coped with both the heartbreaks and great times. There Eyes Were Watching God is a book that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It took me about 10 days to read it; I did not put the book down because I just had to keep on reading to find out what was coming next. I understand why this is a classic work because it was a whole new reading style to me, mainly because of the language.

Rating:
Summary: Not a easy read
Review: I just finished this book. It was not an easy read. The story is good but the dialict is difficult to understand. I have relatives that still speak that way and I don't understand them. This book has a lot of symbolism and should be reader with that in mind if not them the read will have a difficult time getting it. I understand why this has become a classic. Classic should make you think and dig deep even with the simpliest story.

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Summary: Hear this book!
Review: This is a great book to listen to on tape, particularly if you think you might have trouble deciphering the vernacular (or even if you read and enjoyed the book and want to experience it in a new way). Ruby Dee gives an awesome, award-winning performance. Listening to her reading the book takes away the "vernacular barrier" and lets you experience the full power of the story and the dialog. Highly recommended -- a moving, sad but ultimately uplifting experience.