Rating: 
Summary: Valuable piece of literature for the experienced reader.
Review: As with most of Toni Morrison's novels, this is an intense, enjoyable read. The reader slowly becomes familiar with the characters as if he/she is a new addition to a neighborhood; albeit a struggling neighborhood both spiritually and socially. As the characters develop, so does Ms. Morrison's theme and intent. I highly recommend the book to the reader who wants a challenge as well as a good story. Although sometimes the content is disturbing, it is always thought provoking.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the only books I never finished
Review: after struggling through 90 pages of this book I finally gave up . I had no desire to try and figure out what it was about. Usually after a lesser number of pages of any book I can get attached to it but this one was impossible. One of the worst books I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I missunderstand?
Review: After reading this book I felt as if I was still waiting for something very big to happen.......It left me wondering whether I was the only one in the world to missunderstand this book. All in all, it left me feeling stupid and very upset that I did not "get it". It's been a month since I have read the book and I still think about it and wonder what I missed. The only reason I give this book 2 stars is because I enjoyed the style of writing and it did manage to keep my interest up although I WAS expecting more from the ending. I felt very let down by this book.
Rating: 
Summary: While interesting, too confusing.
Review: I listened to the audio tapes and it was too confusing to follow along as well as too many characters to follow.
Rating:
Summary: Difficult Read even to college educated individuals.
Review: Got lost many times and had to back track in order to get on base again. Enjoyed the reading when Tony took time to allow conversations and actions by her characters, but that wasn't very often. Do not recommend this book to even serious readers.
Rating:
Summary: The ingredients of greatness strewn about, but not blended
Review: I have read many black author's fictional works, including Toni Morrison's in the past. Most of these books were enlightening and original. Paradise was original, but also disjointed and confusing. In this fairly slim volume, the characters of an entire town are mentioned. Some of these characters are described. Only one , Connie, is fully characterized. If you want to take a stab at writing about Ruby as a large backdrop canvas against which certain dramatic events later take place, you just have to use more words to satisfyingly convey this town, this black American MIDDLEMARCH, with it's many people and it's amazing history--- It really saddens me that Ms. Morrison did not take more time with this book and produce the truly great work of fiction that Paradise could have become
Rating: 
Summary: Scratching the Surface
Review: After reading all of Toni Morrison's novel, I found Paradise to be the most difficult. This is not a book for those who do not look for the novel's underlying meaning and themes. I only "scratched the surface" of this book and I will be reading it a second time, third if necessary. I would not recommend this book for first-time readers of Morrison. Overall, it is a very intriguing novel.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinarily Deep Prose!
Review: It has been a while since I read this book, but I simply had to take the opportunity to share my comments. I ordered this book just days after its release, I couldn't wait to see if the reviews were accurate. They were! Boy were they. I just want to know where she comes up with this stuff. The characters were deep, intense, exciting and mystical. Just when I was lost in the whimsy of the story just as I was being swept away, I was picked up on a gust of Morrison wind that had me floating higher than any bird. I haven't landed yet! Weeeeeeee!
Rating:
Summary: This was one of the most amazing books I have ever read.
Review: This was the first book by Ms. Morrison that I have read but there will be others. I could not put the book down, frequently reading passages over and over. This story of redemption and relationships was sufficiently thought provoking and feeling provoking that I have passed it along to numerous friends. It is a book that I will definitely read at least a second time. Paradise will become a classic.
Rating:
Summary: what was the point?
Review: Hard to read. I question whether some of the sentences are grammaticaly correct. Should have been a short story instead of a novel. Last of Oprah's picks I'll be reading. Very disappointed.
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