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Summary: Open One's Mind?
Review: Such prose is not southern gothic - it's simply nonsense. Do not mention Faulkner in relation to this author - that is insulting a literary treasure. In fact, novels of this mediocrity should never be discussed as literature at all.
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Summary: Morrison's second book sets up her style
Review: _Sula_ is a book that marks Morrison's period of transition into being a major writer in the Southern Gothic style. Of this style, she is most like William Faulkner, although her characters are not confined to one area. Here, she looks at a black family, and specifically at two heroines who are tracing their past and accepting their present. Some of the sequences are disparate, but then so was the lifestyle during the time this is set. Open your mind, and free yourself to Morrison's eloquent prose. From here, she would jump to her masterpiece, _Song of Solomon_, but this is where her style really became developed. A good read for Morrison fans.
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Summary: Horrendous
Review: It is amazing that a novel so poorly written could be published. This book is not worthy of anyone's time or attention.
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Summary: not her best work
Review: Toni Morrison has written some fine novels, such as "Beloved," but this isn't one of them. "Sula" seems to celebrate negativity. If Matthew Arnold were alive today, he would say the book doesn't animate. Neither does it awaken a feeling of pleasing melancholy. (This is not to say we should judge the book based on Victorian standards; merely that he used the best words to describe one's reaction to the book.) The early scene in which the two friends dig a hole is so un-subtle that it destroys any pleasure to be derived from its symbolism. The ending, as in so much contemporary fiction, simply fades out rather than establishing any coherence.
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Summary: Sula valorises friendship between women
Review: Sula is one of the best and most important books it's ever been my pleasure to read. Toni Morrison's depiction of the relationship between women friends is placed in direct contrast to the relationship between husband and wife - and friendship wins. Women readers need more role models like this. When I read Sula for the first time, it was in a theology class in university. My professor thought of the character of Sula as the fourth face of G-d (after the Christian Trinity) and I still find this helpful in thinking about the novel. She meant that Sula represents that side of G-d found in the Book of Job - the tempter, the one who perversely incites us to follow our evil impulses - but in the end, all such temptations serve G-d's purposes. This may sound funny, but read the book and you'll understand. Sula and Nell, the two main characters, go through their adult lives separated from one another because of the attraction between Sula and Nell's husband. However, eventually the truly important relationship - that between the two girlfriends - is valorised. I recommend this book to any woman, and especially to young women. It will help you understand the value of friendship.
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Summary: The wonderful voice of Toni Morrison
Review: Award-winning novelist Toni Morrison reads all of her audiobooks, including Song of Solomon, Sula, Jazz, and The Bluest Eye
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Summary: A blend of majesty and realism
Review: Morrison writes a story with sweeping eloquence and passion without ever giving away to literary ostenatation.I read this book not only becoming more receptive to the idea of finding ones soul mate through friendship(as opposed to the relationship between lovers)but also to black America in the first half of this century
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Summary: My First Book By Toni Morrison, But Not My Last
Review: "Sula" is the first book written by Toni Morrison that I have read. It will not be the last. This book is set in the mostly Black community, The Bottom, overlooking Medallion, Ohio. It is a study of the relationship between Sula Peace and Nel Wright. With an exceptional use of words that tug and pull at you, force you to listen and think, Miss Morrison brings Sula and Nel to life right before your eyes. In a friendship that spans twenty years, Sula and Nel meet as young children and during that time, "innocently" cause a tragedy that one forgets, the other perhaps does not. As young women, Nel marries and remains in The Bottom while Sula goes off to college, and for a time, moves from city to city. It is Sula's return to The Bottom and one unforgivable event that tears the two friends apart.It is only long after the death of Sula that Nel comes to the realization that they had not been as different as she had allowed herself to believe, one girl good, one girl bad. They had just been "girls together" and each of them, in her own way, had endured endless struggles to survive in the world as black women.
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Summary: Great Book for a Quiet Weekend
Review: I had a great time reading this book. Saturday morning with a cup of tea I sat down with this book and didn't get up until I had finished it. It's easy reading and a good story. You can really see and feel the characters.
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Summary: Intrigued with Sula and Nel
Review: This is the first book that I have read written by Toni Morrison and it certainly will not be the last. The story about Sula and Nel's friendship was intriguing and captivating. These two girls grew up as best friends and each choose to live a very different lifestyle. Nel decides to marry and raise a family while Sula goes to college. Through an unforgivable act on Sula's part, the two friends are driven apart. I am looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Morrison and I definetely would highly recommend Sula to anyone.
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