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Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: This book was part of an English assignment for my sophomore class. At first I was not looking forward to reading it, but the first few pages threw me into a world of literary ecstacy.
I absolutely adored this book. It keeps you waiting until the last page. I have never seen a more creative use of talent before. This is a must read for anyone who has lost hope in American literature!
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Summary: So far my favorite Toni Morrison novel
Review: This the third novel that I have read by Ms. Morrison and so far it's the best one. In this story she told the story of "Milkman" Dead and his family. On the surface they are the perfect "Nergo" family. His father is sucessful landlord and his mother has an impressive family backgound; her father was a doctor. Milkman also had an aunt who was the family blacksheep. Milkman goes through life just existing; he never really lives. He doesn't care about his family, the women in life or his community. Toni Morrison takes on Milkman on a voyage of selfdiscovery that is truly wonderful. In my opinion Ms. Morrison tends to over use metaphors but not this time. Her language was rich and soulful. The story was easy to read and understand.
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Summary: Song of Solomon
Review: Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison is a novel that tells a story about one man's quest for wealth that turns into a quest to understand himself. This journey not only teaches the main character, but the reader, the importance of being able to deal with your past in order to be able to soar. Perhaps the main lesson is : "If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it." While this novel may seem difficult to understand at first, everything does connect with each other eventually, keeping you guessing until the very end. Morrison teaches lessons and shows the trouble African Americans face in a white world. Her writing style is mysterious and poetic, making reading the language of the book just as fun and captivating as understanding the plot and overall message.
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Summary: Song of Solomon: Interesting and Intellectual
Review: In Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison weaves together an intricate story of a boy's struggle to find a way to fly, despite the bonds of his family and town. Milkman must find his past before he can be free, which creates the plot that Morrison writes. 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. 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.
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Summary: The Power of Love
Review: Toni Morrison, in her novel Song of Solomon, describes the struggles and finally triumphs of Milkman Dead on his journey to find the family inheritance. But, more valuable than gold, what he discovers in the end is himself and the importance of cherishing his family heritage. As he travels through his self-discovery odyssey, he learns most importantly about love--love for himself, his black culture, and his family.In addition, Morrison writes in a language that appeals greatly to the reader. She makes connections from events in the beginning to those in the end through songs and stories--forms of expression to which most readers can relate. She uses symbolism, biblical references, and allusions to encourage the reader to think deeply about her novel. Overall, the novel is a wonderful read and in the end, Milkman allows himself to be swepted away by a very powerful love for life. "For now he knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it."
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Summary: I see why she won the Nobel Prize
Review: Song of Solomon will be one of those books that will indeed leave an impact. It is truly a work of art. The story of Milkman's search for gold but finding something else of value is a remarkable one. It's hard to compare this book to her masterpiece Beloved. So, I won't try. On it's own, Song of Solomon is a worthy read.
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Summary: Something New Every Time
Review: I am now a freshman in college and this is my fourth time reading this great novel. When I first read this book as a freshman in high school I thought that the book was complex and diffcult to understand and just made summaries of what I thought took place. Please excuse my iggnorance. When I read it again as a sophomore, this time for my own information I began to understand some of the symbolism, the underlying purpose, and the language of Toni Morrison. The third time that I read this novel also for pleasure I began to identify with the lead character Milkman. I began to understand his struggle, his stubborn attitude and overall need to become his own person and discover his history. And now as a read the last page of this novel today I am still in love with this book and understand it now more than ever. The novel shows the author's unique touch of approaching maturity, racisim, and love in the black community. I love this novel because every time I read it I not only find something that I didn't catch before but I also find something in myself that I didn't notice before. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to embrace a deep novel with open arms. You will not regret a single minute.
Rating:
Summary: Strange but a good read
Review: Macon Dead the III was given the nickname "Milkman" when his mother was caught breastfeeding him well into his toddler years. Milkman is a self-absorbed arrogant man living off his fathers money and his grandfathers name. Completely oblivious to his surroundings, Milkman treats the women in his family like strangers. It wasn't until he meets his Aunt Pilate that he shows emotion and gratitude towards a family member. After hearing Pilate's stories of a family long lost, Milkman sparks a greedy interest to the family inheritance. In turn, he is spun into a journey that would teach him about family ties, commitment and love.
The Story of family connections when we are well past the halfway point and the reader may struggle through the sub-plots. It is not until the very end that the reader can tie the beginning to the overall story. But stick with it, the stories and lessons they teach are well worth the read.
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Summary: Truly A Classic - From the Author of "BrainChild"
Review: I removed the "Song Of Solomon" from my aunt's bookshelf (where I have borrowed and read many books) many years ago. She let me borrow it. I read it in two nights. I remember coming home from school, quickly doing my homework, and rushing to see what happened next. When I got my first job, I purchased my own copy. I have, over the course of the years, purchased newer copies, but I still have my first copy. It is truly a classic, as are all of Toni Morrison's works.
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Summary: Myth, magic, soap opera, history, identity, life, death....
Review: She does it all. Her dialogue is exquisite - she's a poet of the first order. She weaves the mythology of Greek and African cultures and she tells a juicy story along the way.
It starts as a family-saga-soap opera and ends as a bildungsroman (journey of a young man) seeking his familial identity. It is a blueprint of how to do that when you are seeking lost ancestors. Just fabulous. This, "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved" are my favorites. Keep on keeping on, Toni!
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