Beloved

Rating:
Summary: Give it a chance!
Review: Many of you who are writing are students, and since I am a teacher, I am rather sad to see you criticizing the book. My students(honors high school seniors)are struggling with it now, and in fact I think some have simply not been reading. This book requires an initial effort on the part of the reader -- it will take time for you to understand why "124 was spiteful." However, this book (and since I'm an English teacher, I've read many!)is a marvel. It demands an intelligent reader, one who wants to know more, one who has compassion, one who is willing to think about slavery and what it has done -- to individuals, to African-Americans, to whites, to the U.S. culture. There are mini history lessons on virtually every page, as well as new vocabulary, wonderful imagery and symbolism, beautifully drawn characters, and food for thought that should stay with you for a lifetime. If you are looking for a thriller to pass the time, this is not the book for you. If you want to think about our country's past and how it haunts our present, try Beloved.

Rating:
Summary: A CONTINUATION OF A STORY OF MYSELF
Review: ....I used the book as a project for my high school multiculturalproject, and I expcted more out of such a hyped up and widely praised book. There haven't been many books that I've actually enjoyed, and this is definitely a book that I really did not enjoy. I would credit the sucess of this book to Oprah.... The only reason why I gave this book 1 star was that it was so pathetic I actually felt sorry for it.

Rating:
Summary: A book for those who want something different to read.
Review: Beloved- Though I'm not thoroughly complete with the book, I feel the book is very interesting but wouldn't be for anyone without an imaginative or open mind. Because you can become lost in the book, at times from different places the story likes to pick up, there's a plenty of flashbacks which cause you to lose track in the story. The characters place a strong appeal to the story, whom draws you into the book. I would recommend this book to someone who has an open mind wouldn't think the phenomna is possible in the book. This book is not to long but it has a strong story. The story is nice and strong but it doesn't bore you with sub-stories, some of the flashbacks are pretty ok as well.

Rating:
Summary: The book was very well written with a unique style.
Review: The book BELOVED was very well written the style Toni Morrison used was confusing at first, however became a page turner the second time around. The book may have been more effective if it was a little more plainer to read. Sethe one of the main characters encapsulates the slave mentality to a tee! Each step Sethe made was felt by the reader.The role of Paul D was the perfect complement to Sethe, he represented the life she could have had. In conclusion: OUTSTANDING!

Rating:
Summary: Some readers miss the mark
Review: The person from Moscow who reviewed this book obviously misunderstood the most important idea behind the story. Beloved didn't return from the dead because of love. She was borne out of the deep guilt that Sethe indured each and every day of her life.

Rating:
Summary: An extrodinary novel that will bring out your emotions.
Review: I thought it was a very well written book that can be extremely disturbing and yet very intimate. It will bring out emotions in you that you did not even kow that you had. Though it was hard to follow, it is possible to understand and I recomend that everyone reads it at least once in their lifetime.

Rating:
Summary: Hmmm... I'm not impressed
Review: Well, I don't know what defines 'masterpiece,' but I didn't find anything particularly ingenius about this book. Nothing against the author, but, why does this child come back for Love? How lame... Wouldn't the average murdered child ghost come back for bloody revenge? I'll stick to my Tolkien and Crichton.

Rating:
Summary: a very intense read
Review: Beloved, what can I say? If you want a quick and easy read then it would be best you leave this book alone. If you are after a thought provoking, soul stirring read then go and buy this novel now. Toni Morrison writes beautifully with a rather detached emotional style. She gives us the hard facts on slavery without making us cry. It is not just about slavery though but more about complex human thoughts, feelings and actions that will definately tug at your sub-conscious.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written
Review: Not an easy read by most anyone's standards, Beloved requires some patience. Patience is certainly rewarded with this book, which appears to be a mess at first but turns out to be a cleverly constructed masterpiece in the end. Beautifuly written, moving, realistic and unnerving. I believe that I have good idea idea of what it felt like to be a slave after reading this. An excellent book!

Rating:
Summary: Incredible!!
Review: Until this novel, I had never read any of Ms. Morrison's works. I regretted it. I agree with some of the other reviewers, "kids will hate books when they are made to read them". I think anyone with compassion will love "Beloved". It made me sorrowful for Sethe. She was a woman trying to protect her children from a horror which no one should experience. I asked myself"would I have made the same decision?" You may ask yourself too. I think everyone should give this book a try. I can identify with Sethe, trying to live life by her rules and walking proudly by making a choice that others would be reluctant to do. So, please take the time to read this book, it will deepen your awareness and give thanks that slavery no longer exsists.