Sula

Rating:
Summary: Best novel to get introduced to Toni Morrison through!
Review: Toni Morrison, one of America's greatest writers some say, has a very subtle way of pulling you in and keeping your interest. This book is about two young women and the hardships they share and face as they grow into women. They each chose a different path into adulthood, but are binded by thier small town as well as thier friendship. The climax results in a choice they have to make, that will ultimately mend, or end thier friendship. This novel is generally an 'easier' reader compared with some of Morrison's other "deep" stuff.

Rating:
Summary: An Ignorant depiction of African Americans
Review: The book was a charm in the beginning until she began to skip around and I forgot what I was reading about. Although what Toni describes in the life of African Americans at the time was a personal opinion, she really made African Americans seem really stupid. Dont get me wrong some of us were piss poor at the time of the Civil War, but we were really not as dumb as she depicts. She has won her prize due to her outstanding creativity with bouncing around in her stories. After reading about Nel getting married, I did not feel compelled to pick the book up and continue. I really would not recommend this book unless you are taking a class, like me. But then again if you like ignorant drama, and outlandish metaphors Sula is definetly the one. I have not read any of her other stories but this story would not stop me from reading them.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Work Despite Confusions
Review: Morrison weaves these characters masterfully in her tale of two black women--Nel and Sula. Throughout the novel the reader is given characters who each hold different ideas about how a person/woman should act. While Sula (the character) presents herself in a way most might find inappropriate, Morrison never gives a difinitive answer as to where her sympathies lie. While I am contented to side with Sula, I can never forget the values of the other characters and how they contrast with Sula's. But, all in all, this confusion of morals, sympathy, and love is the beauty of the book. And without any of this commentary, the end presents a story one simply CANNOT miss--absolutely beautiful!