Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: This was the first book I ever read,and it compel me to read mor African works. Great Book
Rating: 
Summary: I loved the book Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: As a half-black, half-white woman, Janie's life was one of new rules and boundaries, new borders and bridges. She was half black and therefore destined to live the life of a black, but she was also half white and she deserved the life of a white. But neither appealed to Janie Her sense of freedom and adventure shaped who she was and who she would become. Throughout the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Janie never gave up her search for love and happiness. And throughout her three marriages she gained a lot of positive experiences. Her first marriage was to a man named Logan Killicks, and she gained many positive experiences from that marriage. She learned the valuable lesson "that marriage did not make love. Janie's first dream was dead, so she became a woman" (Hurston 24). Then she started marking lines of which to cross, and of which not to. She decided what she would accept and what she would not. At one point she told Logan "If you can stand not to chop and tote wood Ah reckon you can stand not to git no dinner (Hurston 25). Shortly after that she left Logan. She then married a man named Joe "Jody" Starks and she learned a lot from that marriage as well. She learned, for example, that money doesn't equal happiness. It started out fine, "he bought her the best things the butcher had" (Hurston 32) and by her way of thinking that was a lot better then Logan's rhymes. But soon "she got nothing from Jodie except what money could buy, and she was giving away what she didn't value (Hurston 72). Also in that marriage Janie learned to "talk some and leave some" (Hurston 72). Some things were important enough to fight with Jodie over and some, well most, weren't. He always won the fights so only the most unique matters could or would be quarreled over. Her third marriage was to Teacake, and she learned a lot of positive things from that marriage too. What she learned was the greatest lesson of them all. She learned Love. How to give it, how to receive it and how to express it. She loved him so much that "her soul crawled out from it's hiding place" (Hurston 122) and she was able to begin her dreams once more. She learned how to express her feelings without fear of what would follow them. At one point she thought that Teacake was having an affair with a girl named Nunkie and she said "You done hurt my heart" (Hurston 131). But not everything with Teacake dealt with love. She learned practical things, like how to shoot and hunt. It got to where she could "shoot a hawk out of a pine tree and not tear him up. Shoot his head off" (Hurston 125). All of the good, bad, and worse in Janie's life was worth something because she learned from it. She became who she was because of it. Without the hurt and the pain and the heartbreak, she would not have been strong, and had she not been strong, she would have died along side Teacake. But she didn't, she lived on, and though it is not written that she loved again it is not written that she didn't keep learning.
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Summary: An African-American woman who triumphs over adversity.
Review: This novel, Thier Eyes Were Watching God,by Zora Neale Hurston influenced my life as a young female. Reading the Foreword, I realized that the author of this book had established a very respectful, yet controversial reputation for being an 'African-American lady' writer. The beginning of her career was greatly criticized because of the context of her writing. She wrote of the 'black southern life' which brought up plently of both negative and positive reactions among the African-American community and women all around. Reading the different reactions, I had to bias towards Zore Neale Hurston as being a profound writer. What was surprising about this book was that it told a story that went against traditional scenarios and situations. It spoke of a 'black' woman and her struggles among her own commmunity, but it showed the victorious outcomes of her struggles, making herself a stronger 'black' waman which was greatly overlooked and disregarded in society. Her affects on the African-American community and women were greatly accepted, challenged, and appreciated that her stories changed lives, perspectives, and feelings in other's lives. The most interesting aspect of this book is the whole storyline and especially, the author, Zora Neale Hurston. I believe that the author has a strong personality that her thoughts, experiences, and feelings came through in her work.
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Summary: The sensation of this book is definately on fire.
Review: In the book, "Their Eyes Were Watching God", Zora Neale Hurston paints a picture of reality, what life will teach you and it's rewards. How allowing someone to have some restrictions on your life (especially when you have no say so) will teach you to go for what you know and what your heart tells you. If going against the grain will make you stonger and happier, then go for it. BUT, you must be able to face the consequences, good or bad, with your head up high.
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Summary: A Southern Life Seen Through A Black Woman's Eye.
Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God was a little bit confussing in the beginning, but from the middle to the end it was good. The background history of Janie when she was young help me understand the way she looked at life and why she was so confussed about what she wanted in life. Janie grew up with white folks her Grandma worked for in West Florida. It wasn't until Janie was six years old and she saw a picture of her with the white folks that she discovered thst she wasn't white and she was really black. As she reaches the years of becoming a woman and independent she marries a man named Logan Killicks which her grandma thinks he's a decent man that will take care of her and love her, but soon a enough she meets a charming man named Joe Starks and she leaves her husband and runs off with Joe. As time moved on and Janie got tired of the bad treatments she got from her past men, a younger man named Tea Cake makes her feel happy and young again. Tea Cake and Janie go off into the Everglades and the rest is for you to read and see what happens between them. Janie goes through a lot in her life and you see it through a black woman's point of view.Mary Grace
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Summary: wow, what an amazing story
Review: This book trails the story of Janie as she finds her way towards her horizon. With beautiful words, Zora Neale Hurston lines the path of janie with gold as she meets Teacake, the man who "engages her heart and spirit in equal measure and gives her the chance to enjoy life without being one man's mule or another man's adornment."
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Summary: A fantastic book. One that should be read by all!!!!
Review: A well enjoyed, dog-earred, often looked back upon book. Hurston has a beautiful way with words. An interesting story, filled with bravery, kindness, self respect and, confidence. A real taste of living! Leaves the reader with an overwhelming sense of "I've got to let the world know about this book!" Don't let your bookshelf be without it!
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Summary: Love portrayed in many forms has never been so moving.
Review: This book was one of a kind; it caught your attention and made me finish the book in only a few days. The themes of love, race and gender all hit the spot. Janie had many loving relationships and everyone seemed to love her. When finding her true love it disappears as if it weren't meant to be. A love so great couldn't survive. But most of all her love for her best friend and herself makes it even greater. A book leaving you thought less by mind blowing issues and opinions.
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Summary: a rich and complete intertwining of poetry and prose
Review: Hurston masterfully portrays the life of her heroine, Janie Gibbs, in a manner that is both rich and rewarding. As Janie recounts her life, fraught with the struggle between obligation and freedom, she entrances both the reader as well as those she is telling her story to. Hurston mixes the earthy tones of her characters with resonant and almost lyrical poetry. Hurston captures the reader's attention from page one and refuses to let go until the book is complete. When, at the end of the novel, a character remarks that she has been changed just by hearing this story, the reader cannot help but wholeheartedly agree. Zora Neale Huston has written a veritable masterpiece that touches something akin in all human beings- the longing to be free.
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Summary: This book is a rite of passage. Heart-shaking and empowering
Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God is such a fine book. It resonates with the beauty that comes from an ordinary life. Janie is an amazing character because she is vulnerable. This book, along with The Color Purple, and Song of Solomon will go down as the best American Classics our 20th Century had to offer. Foundationalists beware! Your excuses won't work anymore! These books transcend mere "Ethnicity", and speak for the common experience of all of us.
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