Rating: 
Summary: A good read
Review: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston is a book about the life of a Negro woman in the 1900s. The story begins with Janie telling about her life, but then the author takes over the book. In the beginning, Janie returns to see some people she used to know sitting on their porch. After they dine with food she brings, Janie begins to tell her story, with Hurston soon taking over the point of view.We first hear about Janie's grandmother wanting her to marry Logan Killicks, an older man. She protests her decision, but her grandmother wants her to have someone who can offer Janie the security and protection of his older age and a large potato farm. The marriage occurs in the next chapter, but soon after Janie leaves her new husband to be with another man - Joe Starks. Joe and Janie go off to another place in Florida. Joe becomes mayor of a new town, named Eatonville, of all black people. Joe also builds a store in this town. At first, Janie is enjoying this relationship. But after the town starts developing, Janie doesn't enjoy life with Joe as much. This is partly because Joe is becoming the man of the town and Janie feels left out. She is asked by Joe to run the store, as Joe is busy doing town duties as the mayor, such as getting a new street light installed. Later, many other events happen in the story, but if I told you anymore I'd spoil the book. The author, Zora Neale Hurston, uses the dialog of Negroes in the story. Phrases such as "Aw, Tea Cake, you just say dat tuhnight because de fish and corn bread tasted sort of good" let you imagine the dialect used by southern black people. The characters created by the author really do let us know that they were blacks. We know this because of the way they talk, and because of the life that they are living as explained to us by Hurston. One theme of this novel relates to man versus society. In this case, man is Janie and society is the men of the south. Janie finally realizes all the hardships she has been through and how her life has changed. In a nutshell, this novel tells the life a Negro woman trying to live a happy life through difficult times.
Rating: 
Summary: A gift ! There is nothing else like it!
Review: This is the equisitely haunting tale of an impoverished black woman's search for love, meaning, and freedom in pre-civil rights era Florida. The story opens with the return of Janie to the mud and shack village that she left with her first husband. Now, after experiencing Florida as a poverty stricken, dependent wife, Janie recounts to her village friend Pheoby, all the extremes of life that she has journeyed since her departure some years before. Told in black dialect, this epic self- discovery and testament to fortitude, spirit, and human dignity steals the heart of the reader who is willing to listen to and experience with Janie all the travails that are heaped upon her in 1930's Florida. Janie's growth becomes the reader's own discovery of life for a poor black woman with intelligence, need for love, and pure determination to survive in the face of enormous obstacles of human and mother nature. The characters that populate Janie's sojourn are powerfully described by the author. There are all of her husbands, her friends, animals, the Florida terrain and weather, and others. However, the most mesmerizing character in this eloquent novel is Zora Neale Hurston's lyrical and hypnotic use of language. It sets the stage of the tale at the onset of the story and makes you care deeply about Janie. Gorgeously constructed, each sentence is a thing of beauty in and of itself. The rich, "brown" tones are like an unknown music that resonates forever in your soul when you leave this incredible volume. It has a cadence, a poetry like no other. I gave this book 5 stars because whenever I see this book on my shelf, it reaches out to me, touches me again and again, without even turning a page, without even opening the cover. A lasting achievement, one that truly stands the test of time - a hallmark of American Literature.
Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is a beautifully written novel telling the story of Janie Crawford's search for love and fulfillment. Janie's story filled with love, abuse, devotion, and sacrifice, begins as she tells her life saga to her dearest friend, Pheoby. It begins with brief talk of her childhood (or loss of), and first marriage to Logan Killicks. Her marriage to Killicks provides many things, but none of aid to Janie's search for love or fulfillment. Protection, security, and peace of mind for Nanny were all well, and good, but Janie's dream of love couldn't be forgotten, and she eventually leaves Logan to run off with Joe Starks. Janie's marriage to Starks begins brightly, but fades quickly. As Starks buries himself in success, and glory, Janie begins to fade away. She becomes lonely and powerless in her relationship with Starks. Working a job she hates, hiding her beautiful hair, as Starks orders and verbally/physically abuses her. As Hurston says "She was a rut in the rode. Plenty of life beneath the surface but it was kept beaten down by the wheels." After being beaten down for nearly twenty years Janie is finally able to move on after Starks dies. With Starks dead Janie had a new found freedom. She let her beautiful hair down, but still continued to work in the store she hated. It wasn't until she met Verfible "Tea Cake" Woods that Janie finally found her true love and fulfillment. Starting from the beginning Tea Cake was something new, and thrilling. He made her "glow inside" by treating her better than she ever had experienced. Though at first Janie is unsure she can trust him, she soon let herself enjoy the love she has always dreamed of. Janie's years with Tea Cake bring her what she had always wanted. She got to live, enjoy life-talk when she wanted, work when/if she wanted, not just "git up on uh high chair and sit dere." Though she had "nearly languished tuh death up dere" she was now living and discovering who she was and what she could do. Hurston's heart-wrenching novel not only leads us on Janie's path to self-discovery, but also teaches us along the way. It took Janie numerous relationships to realize that " Love is lak de sea. It's uh movin' thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore and meets, and it's different with every shore." We learn from Janie that everyone must keep walking till they find their shore. Though Janie's tale is not storybook material it is filled with honest emotions and life lessons.
Rating:
Summary: Great Novel; thank you to my AP English Class
Review: This is one of those obscure but great novels--and writers--that I probably never would have discovered or read if it were not for my AP English class (it was on my required summer reading list; which only adds to my already hefty personal reading list, which is ever growing.)I at first wondered why a highschool teacher chose a work not as known or recognized, but figured it out when I realized how local the books setting was (I live in Orlando, FL, which is between most of the settings in the book, and made mention of several times.) But enough of how I came about reading it... Hurston's novel turned out to be a beautifuly told tale. The insight into the main character, Janie Crawford, was very strong and eloquently told. Also, if you love a lot of beautiful imagery, this is a good example. Every chapter opened--and many closed--with though provoking metaphors and philosophies. The oft-aclaimed dialogue (written in the afro-american dialect of the time period) added a lot to the atmosphere. One of the few, and relatively minor criticisms I can find in this book is that large amounts of space are lost between chapters, and in some cases within them, without transition which is jarring and pulls you out of the fictional dream. All in all, I would highly recommend this book. It has a beautiful story and is beautifully told.
Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: When a drama is centered around a young Black woman, learning to stand up for her rights, during the early 1900's, it is certain that it will intrigue the reader. Their Eyes Were Watching God, brings out the feelings of Black women at this time,that have been hidden from today's society. Written in 1937, by Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God takes place in the early 1900's. Hurston sets a "picture frame" story up with realistic details. During the depression, people do not generally know or understand how hard Blacks had it; they were considered second class citizens, and they also had a lack of money. The main charachter, Janie Crawford, retells her compelling life story, as a young Black woman, during the Great Depression. As she rids the town of many rumors, she teaches them that rights are something no one can take from them. It took Janie a misinformed childhood, losses of loved ones, and three different marriages to figure out her rights. After growing up with a white family, Janie Crawford discovers her true race, while looking at a picture. During her teen years, Janie discovers her sexuality, while kissing Jonny Taylor under a pear tree. When her grandmother accidentally observes this occurrence, she sends Janie off to marry a young man--not for love, but for possessions. Janie leaves her marriage, realizing it was not love, and runs away with another man, after "falling in love with his dreams." This turned out to not be true love either though. Her third marriage, is against "society's rules", and ends up being true love. Unfortunately, her marriage ends tragically. Through Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, readers are able to relate Janie's experiences to their own. Although the dialect takes time getting used to, it is a great book. Along with the book, Janie's charachter is also brought to a closure. The reader will also be brought to an unbelievable awakening to exactly what love is.
Rating:
Summary: Watching Her Life
Review: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God can hold the attention of many. This novel captures the drama, love interest and the abuse of a southern black woman named Janie in the early 1900s. What's great about this novel is how it shows the difficulties of a realistic woman trying to live a normal life. It shows the influence that family members have on the outcome of a person's life and how it doesn't matter what other people think.This book shows the struggle of a black woman getting the respect and love from a husband that she deserves. It shows Janie listening to her Grandma's advice and marrying men who have power and wealth. Janie leaves Logan Killicks, first husband, and marries a wealthy man, Joe Starks. Later Janie realizes that she should marry out of love and not wealth. When she meets a man nicknamed TeaCake, she realizes and experiences true love. Unfortunately, it does not last long. While she is sitting on her porch she looks back and knows she had a hard life, but it was all worth it. Not only does this novel have many strong points, it covers many important topics. It shows sexism, how Joe Starks and Logan Killicks show no respect to Janie. It shows racism, how Mrs. Turner ,a half-white half-black, does not trust black people. Probably most important, it shows the powerful relationship between Janie and TeaCake. The story is somewhat short and simple, but it has a point. It happens in a way that everyone can understand. Hurston expresses her thoughts clearly in such a way it is hard not to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Were Indeed Watching
Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God written by Zora Neale Hurston was an amazing novel. At night it would be hard to put the book down. That is a sign of a good book. Written in a Southern tongue that takes a fair amount of time to get used to. It adds something fresh to the book. This novel is a classic example of well crafted American Literature. The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, takes place in the early 1900's. The entire book is a flashback of the main characters life, leading to the present. The story is told to Janies best-friend, Phoeby. Janie tells her dear friend about her marriage and how happy life can really be for women of the time. Janies character stuck out as being adventurous and hard working. The reader grew fond of Janie because of her willingness to try new things, such as checkers and picking beans in The Muck. Every new experiance she had contributed more and more to the depth of her vast character. This novel encompassed everything that a good book needs to succede. It provides captivating romance and thrilling action. From the massive Hurricane to Janies many love interests, this book holds the attention of its readers all the way through. Throughout the whole novel Janie is trying to get across one thing to her friend, Phoeby. There are "two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go to God and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves." Over the course of this book Janie learns about life, love, and God. Many characters grabbed my attention in the novel, such as, Nanna, Llogan Killicks, Tea Cake, and many other characters Janie met throuhout her life. Nanna was an important character in Janies life because she taught her about life and love. Llogan was an influrential character because he drove Janie to have a want for a more complete and better life. The best scene in the book is when Janie and Tea Cake first meet. During the time period the 1900's, it was unheard of for a woman(expecially the mayors wife) to so anything fun or riskey. In this unique scene, it is the first time Janie is told she is good enough to learn something. Tea Cake is the first man to have trust in her, he teaches her how to play checkers. And she eventually falls in love.
Rating: 
Summary: Their Eyes were Watching Janie
Review: The novel The Eyes were Watching God was a book that grabbed my attention. I liked the contrast of Janie being a child when she was married to Joe and the being more of a mother figure when she was married to Tea Cake. Janie throughout the novel struggled to find the "pear tree" or true happiness. She started her life listening to always what her grandmother wanted and that led her nowhere. She then listened to herself and found Tea Cake and fell in love. This reviewer liked the parts of her courage like when she stood up to Joe and didn't take his abuse anymore. The action scenes were very well written and realistic. When Janie and Tea Cake were running from the storm it almost seemed like it was happening right in front of this reviewer. In conclusion the book's characters and plot was well thought out. This reviewer's only problem is the title I did not see God talked about much. Besides that the book was excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Their Eyes Are Watching God
Review: "Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done, and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches." Author Zora Neal Hurston did an excellent job with Their Eyes Are Watching God. Hurston set a character, Janie, in a world where life was compared to a pear tree. The story took place in various cities in Florida in the 1900's. Opening the book Janie returns from past life experiences and tells a listening friend, Phoeby, all about it. The stories are of Janie's growing up, both mentally and pshyically, and her search for love or rather the "pear tree feeling." While searching Janie encounters various memorable events, including death and marraige. Janie Crawford is a realistic character full of the desire to be heard. Because the men desire her, the women are filled with envy. "The men noticed her firm buttocks like she had grape fruits in her pockets; the great rope of black hair swaying to her waist and unraveling in the wind like a plume." The reader will enjoy each story of Janie's life. The reader may even find themselves crying, laughing, or getting upset with various characters. The great pleasure about this book is the reader begins to build a certain relationship, of love or hate, with a favorite character. The reader may hope a particular character does not die, or perhaps does not live. Closing the book each chracter is brought to an end leaving no one in the dark. When Janie's flashbacks are brought to an end, "there was a finish silence after that so that for the first time they could hear the wind picking at the pine tree... Phoeby hugged Janie real hard and cut the darkness in flight."
Rating:
Summary: If At First You Don't Succeed
Review: When people think of drama they usually think of only love stories and not everything around the love story. Their Eyes Were Watching God is not only a love story but is also one woman's stuggle to find freedom. Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God can encourage many people to think differently abou themselves. It will teach people not top think highly of themselves, but instead realize who they are on the inside without impressing others. This novel is about a southern black woman, Janie Crawford. She retells the story of her life and how she went through many hardships of love and hate especially through her 3 marriages. In the end Janie has figured out who she really is and what her purpose is in life. One of the first thing that set off her hardships was kissing Johnny Taylor. This opened her sexuality to the world and and first made her realize that she is someone in the world who needs somebody to love her. This caused her to go through her first marriage and experience what it is like not to be loved but be put to work. She left her first marriage and went to her 2nd marriage to find love. Not only did she not find love but she found a man who controlled so much that she lost her freedom to live which caused her to look down on herself and make her have no self esteem. When her 2nd husband died she felt that she had become a real woman and was let free into the world. When she met her 3rd husband she felt that she had finally found love, someone who was as free as she was, someone that loved to live life like each day was their last. In the end Janie, through all her struggles had finally found what she was looking for and that is true love.
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