Beloved

Rating:
Summary: A troubled, complex and powerful novel
Review: Toni Morrison is considered to be one of America's greatest writers, and she has quite rightfully won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize. "Beloved" is a troubled, complex, and powerful novel. And as always, Toni Morrison's prose is beautiful, subtle, and unique.

"Beloved" is set after the end of the Civil War. It is the story of Sethe, a woman and mother of four, escaping slavery finding her way north, to Ohio. Here she settles with her teenage daughter, Denver. Their house is haunted by a ghost. It is the spirit of Sethe's dead baby girl, a baby which Sethe killed many years ago... Morrison is a masterful storyteller, but nevertheless, expect to be a little confused in the beginning. Just continue to read - you can always go back and re-read the beginning later. The way this book is written with all the back and forth in time, we get to know the characters quite well, to the point that you feel that they are old friends of yours.

I have to admit to that although I think, "Beloved" is a great read, I don't think it is her masterpiece (I think that "Song of Solomon" is her best novel) but "Beloved" is certainly worth reading!!

Rating:
Summary: really not as good as it is reputed to be
Review: this book is a mess, it is overly dramatic and full of worn-out cliches. I feel this story has been told many, many times before and while that does not diminish its tragedy, it does make it quite tiresome to read. I personally cannot see the beauty of the half-reality, half-fantasy premise. However, I would still tell everyone to read it themselves and form their own opinions. Just don't feel the need to finish it as it is the same thing over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Ghost Romance
Review: This book came to me highly recommended. I found the plot interesting, but the writing torturuous. The authors attempts to portray the dream state left me often confused. The friend who recommended the book claimed it was because I was a man. My daughter, who agreed with my take says that is not the case. Oprah loved it!

Rating:
Summary: Indelible footprint in American literature
Review: I understand some people's frustrations in reading this book. It's not a straight-forward "here's the plot and here's how it ends" kind of book. The plot or central theme of the book is simple enough, a slave-woman escapes to the free north and the aftermath of her supposed freedom. As in Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison uses magical realism to drive her story, it's reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende. I think it adds an element to the book that heightens its emotions. Slavery is a difficult subject to write about, and to write about it from a personal viewpoint, rather than a historical viewpoint is even harder. I think Morrison has successfully done that in Beloved.

To those who didn't understand the book or wanted to force it into something commonplace so it's more palatable to their pop-culture minds, I say to them, you're missing out on a great piece of American culture and literature. Those who didn't like it are probably young, undergraduate or high school kids who simply don't have the patience for a story that requires a lot of thinking and feeling. Also, I believe you have to know suffering or have the capacity to understand and relate to other people's suffering to fully appreciate this book. A young person or a person who has lived a life of privilege, be it financially or emotionally, will have trouble sharing the meaning of this book.

It's true that the style of the book is different and combines elements of different writing formats. Morrison uses poetry and stream-of-consciousness style writing in parts of the book. You just have to take it for what it is and not fight it too much. It's a personal voice, a personal story, a personal pain. You don't have to get everything everyone writes. Focus on the beautiful story-telling and the emotions it stirs in you. American writing needs this willingness to experiment to create a different and distinct voice.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, , confusing, and harrowing
Review: I am sorry I read this book. I found that it was not well-written, unengaging, and very confusing. I gave it a chance, and read the story to the end but was not impressed whatsoever. I don't understand the hype surrounding this novel and I cannot believe it received a Pulitzer Prize. I just can't get into the "Magical Realism" - it was too weird to me. ...

Rating:
Summary: frustrating
Review: Beloved is an extremely frustrating book. Too many flashbacks, too much illogic, and too little cohesion. Beloved never decides what it wants to be: Is it a ghost story? Is it a study of the afteraffects of slavery? Is it a coming of age tale? It's a book that you feel you ought to read instead of being one that you really want to read.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Novel
Review: This book was a wonderful piece of literature to engage. After reading this novel, I become in love with the concept of Magical Realism. This novel takes one to a level untraveled. I highly recommend this novel to ALL.

Rating:
Summary: This book ia definitely a keeper.
Review: I loved reading this book, in spite of it being a class assignment in college. The prose flows smoothly as the tale of the runaway slave and her four children are told. The descriptions of the master's son is unmistakable--moss green teeth, ewwww!!I especially like it when the youngest daughter finds out who the mysterious young woman is and the exorcist scene toward the end. I plan to read more of Toni Morrison's books.

Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: Probably the most overrated book in contemporary fiction (though that title might be shared by Midnight's Children). A respectable start than descends into unintelligibility and stays there. I respect Ms. Morrison for what she is attempting to do. The fact that she has failed to do it has not deterred an overabundance of praise on her work. If you must read her, try The Bluest Eye instead. Somewhat better, and shorter.

Rating:
Summary: Beloved is worth the read!
Review: This well written piece of literature by Toni Morrison is truly one of her best. The novel revolves around a tired old slave name Sethe and her consistent slave memories. Each character in the novel goes through a developing stage, which consists of reliving the past and facing their utter most fears. Sethe, Denver (her daughter), Baby Suggs (mother in Law) and Paul D. (Sethe's new acclaimed lover) are all faced with the troubled spirit that dwells in their house. But it is Sethe that is troubled the most. For the baby's endless spirit was her daughter's, which she had killed many years ago.

Morrision uses great descriptive words that hold the reader in an imaginary world, making the characters appear real. Each chapter ending leaves the reader wanting to read on. Morrision uses this writing technique quite effectively that entices the reader.

This novel not only involves America's shame of black slavery, but also includes the feelings of the slaves themselves. If you are interested in slavery this novel is one for the reading. One cannot help but feel a connection with the characters and their hardships. Morrison accomplishes this and much more quite superbly making this novel one of her very best.