Rating: 
Summary: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Review: I do agree with most of the other reviews when they say that this book is a must read novel. It not only portrays the life of an African American women, but also describes how to deal with relationships, friendship and family struggles. Hurston descirbes the times of southern life so elequently. The words that she uses seem perfect and original. I love her ending to her book and the way she leaves it open ended for intrepretation. I believe that this book is a good way to experience a different culture and experience a new form of writing; an excellent form of writing.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for life (not just school)
Review: Too bad that a previous reviewer could not get past the vernacular and read the real strength and power of Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston says some incredibly powerful things about life in this novel through the main character Janie. Janie has a tough life but never lets herself get bitter or sad.
I first read this in high school and it really spoke to me as a confused teen. I needed to see a strong woman, like Janie, show the world what she was made of.
Once you get used to the vernacular, you can not only hear all of the character's voices loud and clear, but also Janie's voice as it was meant by Hurston. The vernacular adds vitality to the novel and is a tremendous strength, in my opinion, because no one speaks the way English looks on the printed page.
Pick this classic novel up - you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Your Identity Counts
Review: The first time that I happened upon this book was after having read Anita Hill's, "Speaking Truth to Power." Which I am sure influenced what I was looking for at the time. My eyes were open for many things: how men see women; how mothers teach their daughters; how white women perceive black women; how black women perceive white women; and how we teach men to treat us by the way we see ourselves. As I read this book I learned more than I could possibly write in this review, more than I could verbalize, because I stepped into this story, and followed each character, as though I am one with each of the characters. I laughed a lot. And I cried for each character, because they are suffered tremendously. And in the end, I claimed my higher self, in a calm, mater-of-fact way, along with Janie. It was as though we were taking on the world. This book gave me a look into the human condition -- the choices the challenges, and the ways to rise like the phoenix. I'd also like to say that this book is not just about African-American, or southern lifestyle. It's great for relationships and friendships. This book is also a great reference for your commitment to bring out the best in who you are meant to be. And if you think the dialect in this book is challenging, you might also consider this challenge to be like any other good book, which is always a challenge for you to add more to your identity.
Rating: 
Summary: Ah ain't gointuh rec'mend de buuk to nobody
Review: This book was a nightmare to read, unfortunatley I was required to read it and I could not throw it into the rubbish bin. The story was created just so Mrs. Hurston could use "black vernacular" or ebonix of the early 1900's. The sharp contrast between the ebonix and nornmal English narrative was NOT, in my opinion, a great literary device. It was neither educational nor informative to read long sections of dialogue like the sentence in the title of this review. Forcing myself to read improper English, to say the least, for an English class was very annoying. I don't think any educator would want me to write or speak like the dialogue in this book, so what is the point of reading it? The story was powerful and moving, but only if it had been written in English. Ah reckon dis be de en' of de review. Ah be wishin' dat Ah ain't gointuh hafta read nuttin' lak dis again. Isn't dis annoyin' yuh, imagine 200 pages of dis.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book, great characters
Review: This is a story about a woman named Janie. Janie is a black woman, living in the south and is taught through her grandmother, that a man must take care of her; she must be married off right away. The book outlines the details of Janie's life and her experiences shared with three different men. Through the book, she must overcome town gossip, traditional roles and gain the freedom to express herself and do as she pleases. In the end, she finds the most satisfaction by living her life in her own way. And walked with her head high and no regrets. I thought that book was great. Zora Neale Hurston, did not get the recognition she deserved in her time and thank God for the people who fought to get her books re-published. I must admit, the language in this book at the beginning was a bit hard to grasp but after a short while, it became easier to read. I love the main character, Janie. I love her independence and her carefree spirit. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book...
Review: In my quest to read more classics, I picked up THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD based on a list of 'have to read classics'. What a great book - I can see why this is a 'must read' book. The story centers around the life of Janie - her life growing up and her search for true love. The story is beautifully written - wonderful descriptions! It took me several pages to get used to the southern dialect of that time - but it is so necessary to help tell the story and draws you in. As Janie's life unfolds, you begin to feel a part of the story - I cried twice! It a great book - I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: A classic of American literature
Review: This eloquent prose, written in 1937, is certainly remarkable for its time and still wows audiences today. It's an amazing story of love, loss, and the determination to fulfill a life. The plot twists and resolution will surely surprise, the protagonist's character is deeply insightful, and the manner in which the story is told is utterly compelling. While the story lacks in realism, the emotional struggle of the characters is uncomfortably sobering with rich lessons for us all.
Rating:
Summary: Eloquently Penned Prose
Review: This novel is one of the greatest depictions of historical fiction. It is written is such a way that it gives you a vivid picture of the people of that time. The added dialect provides you with the opportunity to explore the novel in 'their' voices. After two failed marriages, Janie follows her heart and find love and life in Tea Cake. Although they are opposite in character, this couldn't have been a more perfect couple. This story is beautifully written and I recommend it to readers of all walks of life.
Rating:
Summary: Our Eyes Were Watching Hurston
Review: Seven weeks is the reported time that it took to write this novel. Some would argue that accomplishment alone could justify its classic status. However I assure you that tidbit of information is more of an extra piece cake in the seven course feast of "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Zora Neal Hurston, a renown author and anthropologist, wrote this book in 1937 and included all of her knowledge of Southern heritage, the influence of her travels, and her experience living as a woman. Hurston molds a tale of a journey that far too many African Americans have seen or heard in their lifetime or through the oral tales of their family. Our protagonist, Janie, sits and shares with her Friend Phoeby a remarkable story of life and growth. She bares her soul like as if, what one author wrote, "there is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you." She explained in painstaking detail how at the direction of her grandmother her life followed a path she would have never chosen herself albeit she most undoubtedly would never change. She began her journey bound by the expectation of others and ends it with her own personal freedom; freedom of heart, body, and soul. This book is vividly written and has captured the essence of the people in those places at that time. Ms. Hurston painted a picture and added sound with dialect. She made you feel as if Janie were telling the story directly to you rather than Phoeby. Through Janie's reflections this reader concluded that just about the whole time her eyes were in fact watching God as he guided her through all aspects of life allowing her to remain a victor under horrible circumstances and learning to be content in her on skin. Our book club highly recommends this book. However to get its' full impact its best to have someone to discuss it with while or after you read it.
Rating:
Summary: Hurston belongs with Faulkner and Morrison
Review: This book is one of the greatest depictions of the South in Florida, and certainly one of the greatest works set in Florida. This book is part history (the founding and growth of Eatonville, Florida), but mostly a social analysis and a look into the turbulent life on an extraordinary women. Fellow atheists, do not let the title put you off; this is not a book deeply set in Christian values and belief, but I won't give away where the title comes from--it is a dramatic moment to be cherished. A must read.
| 
