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Summary: Perhaps my favorite book of all time
Review: This book was excellent. I do not have the words right now to describes how the novel captivated my emotions
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Summary: angry young men redeemed
Review: I have taught literature for many years, but I have never set a book for a course for which students later took the time to write me thank-you notes. Song of Solomon is compelling on any level: a man's quest to find himself in a world bent on destroying that very self. Full up with Calypsos and Sirens and Scyllas and Charybdises, this novel brings its hero home on a wing and a prayer, so to speak, and makes its reader realize, deep in the springs of our cynical culture, that oppression is not, thank God, the end of the story
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Summary: Morrison's (& America's) Best
Review: I recently re-read "Song of Solomon" (for the sixth time) as part of a book club discussion and was once again taken aback by the book's power. It is a novel about coming-of-age and of self-discovery. But it is that and much, much more: In telling the tale of Milkman Dead and all of those that he comes in contact with, Morrison relates the story of not only Black America, but also the human spirit. "Song of Solomon" is a complex story that borrows from history, African mythology (The Mwindo Epic of the Congo) and the rich tradition of American Literature. No other contemporary American novelist can compete on the same level as Morrison. Her writing is believeable, inciteful and always lyrical. "Song of Solomon" is clearly a must for any english professor's list of great reads. [This is my review from four years ago, but it still applies.]
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Summary: Beautifully written and with a message
Review: Even though it is beautifully written, this book is not for everyone, because some might find searching for the meaning tedius. However, I highly recommend this book if you like searching for a meaning. On the top, the story told is wonderful. Under the surface, the message of love and finding your family roots is outstanding. This is a great book for someone who is struggling to find who they are. I was reminded of McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens," or perhaps "The Color Purple" in that the characters have to really go through a lot before they find themselves. Such is the case with "I Know." Morrison generally writes in this style of an underlying message, and it keeps her readers intrigued until the end of the book. Milkman's search is much like what every teen in the world wants. He says "I just want to be on my own. Get a job, live on my own" However, through Milkman, Morrison shows her readers that they must first take care of their responsibility to their family and culture. However, when love and respect for culture is discovered, the following lesson can be learned, "Without leaving the ground, she could fly. Therefore, this is an important book to read for thos wanting freedom, so they can learn from the mistakes of Milkman. Frankly, I don't know how anyone could not like this book, if not for the wonderful story, then at least for the wonderful writing. Would also recommend: "Bark of the Dogwood"
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Summary: A Morrison Classic With Fewer Tears
Review: Song of Solomon fits well into the classic Toni Morrison genre of heart-wrenchingly poetic and painfully beautiful stories, but it is a bit different from her other works at the same time. The main character of this novel is a male, but the deeper thematic undercurrents channel strongly towards feminism (or in this case womanism, black women's feminism). It's a story of finding yourself and your roots, your true name. The story follows a North to South journey for a young black man. Filled with symbolism and mythology, the novel is rich and engrossing. The motif is based on old stories of African American slaves who shed their bonds and flew back to Africa. Your interpretation of this novel will lead you in one of two directions: did they fly or did they perish? The novel poses this question to you in an eloquent and beautiful way. In the end, your interpretation of this novel may tell you something about yourself and what you believe in.
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Summary: A Novel of Becoming
Review: The miracle of this book is Morrison's ability to create life on the printed page. Her characters breathe through her readers, and the issues that they deal with are applicable to anyone who has ever struggled with their own identity. Writing from the perspective of a male character, Morrison hits the nail on the head. Her ability to write from such a different point of view illustrates perfectly how adept she is at the art of becoming, one of the central issues dealt with in the novel.
Milkman, or more properly Macon Dead, the protagonist of this book, grows up as the only son of the richest black family in a Michigan town. He struggles with alienation from his family's seeming idolatry of mainstream white values, but also with distance from his friend Guitar's reactionary politics and violent actions. Caught in the middle, and no longer able to find refuge at his Aunt Pilate's house, where wine is clandestinely manufactured and sold, Milkman takes a journey to find his truest identity and his deep connection to his roots.
Although Song of Solomon took me slightly longer to become immersed in than some of Morrison's other work, it is amazing and worth reading. The cast of characters is intense and beautiful. Told with poignant humor and deep sadness, this book is heart touching, a truly enjoyable read, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
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Summary: a masterpiece
Review: Actually, the word "masterpiece" doesn't do this book justice. Toni Morrison, the author, has produced a staggering literary accomplishment with "Song of Solomon," in my opinion.
The genius of the book is that Morrison's account of the life of Macon "Milkman" Dead, a black man, and his family and friends, also exclusively black, almost absolutely ignores white people (white people like me). I'm sure that was her goal, and she accomplished it well.
Morrison also does a splendid job developing the characters in the book. (In my opinion, Pilate is the hero.)
This book has it all: love and hate, revenge and mercy, life and death, friendship and betrayal, regret and indifference, hope and hopelessness, happiness and despair, et al. In short, the book is about life.
Morrison, at least in this book, is what I call a "flat-footed author." That is, she seeks not to impress the reader with her strong vocabulary.
But make no mistake: this book is complex. "Milkman" seeks his family's roots, and it takes him on a journey-the journey of life.
Buy it. Read it. Read it again. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: A complex and imaginative novel
Review: Mrs Morrison has produced a complex, wonderful and imaginative story of epic dimension about the Dead family and thus more generally about the African American experience in the USA. On the one hand, the reader follows the story of Macon Dead and his son who has the same name and who marries Ruth Foster, daughter of Dr Foster, and their children Lena, First Corinthians and Macon "Milkman" and on the other hand the story of Macon Dead's sister Pilate Dead, her daughter Reba and her grand-daughter Hagar.
Thus the plot spans over nearly a century and one is dazzled by the family's spellbinding search for their past and their roots which ends dramatically on the top of Solomon's Leap.
Mrs Morrison put a lot of truth, wisdom and humour in her narrative and "Song of Solomon" is bound to become a classic American tale of the 20th century.
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Summary: Don't Be Fooled
Review: This book has nothing to do with the title, "Song of Solomon." After reading just three chapters I had become nauseated and refused to continue. If do not want your mind invaded and your spirit contaminated you will not read this book. I am appauled of how a person could make a mockery of the Bible and may God have mercy on her. If you decide to read this book or is assigned to read this book and you feel uncomfortable and offended please do not hesitate to refuse to read this book and let the board of education know about it and warn others not to read this book. Regardless is if Oprah has this listed on her book club or that Toni Morrison has been praise to be a important Author, Don't Be Fooled!
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Summary: Song of Solomon isn't just literature, it is art
Review: Song of Solomon like many of Toni Morrison's novels is a beautiful story, yet filled with tragedy. Wonderfully interwoven themes of racism, abandonment, damaged family relations, and searching for identity are apparent in our world, which makes them still relevant in today's society. Song of Solomon is also similar to her other books in the richness of symbols and the freedom they give to open interpretations. All throughout the book she uses carefully chosen literary elements to help the story unfold and capture the characters and their experiences in an artisitc way. Unlike the majority of her works, the protagonist is a male character known as Milkman, and the story is told in a limited thrid person view. Although she writes in an easy way to understand, the novel flowed and was filled with metaphors and poetic language.
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