Paradise

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Summary: One of the most remarkable books I have read in a long while
Review: Paradise truly surpassed my expectations! Not only is the language and style of Paradise wonderful,the characters and underlying themes of race relations, human relations, spirituality and the search for Eden are compelling and thought provoking. Thank you!

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Summary: Patience is a Virtue
Review: Oh my...this one is a thought provoker---BIG TIME. As per usual, Toni has written a slow read--you must take your time with this or you will find yourself having to go back and read over. As I was reading this, I was wondering what all the fuss was about. Only until after I was done and began to think about it did the full impact of it hit me. And I found I could NOT get it off my mind for the next several days. Now THAT is the mark of a truly excellent book. I have the utmost respect and awe of Toni Morrison after reading this. The woman is brilliant.

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Summary: People who disliked this book can't spell
Review: Paradise is by far one of the better books of our time. I find it interesting that most of the people who disliked this book cannot spell: "Opra" "inthusiasm"! Maybe these are typos but if so, what a pattern. Many people have given intelligent praise of this book, the well developed story, characters and rich language. For those of you who didn't understand it at all, try again, stopping to think about issues of race in our society today. Is it possible for us all to live together in harmony? What is paradise? I had the occasion to listen to Ms. Morrison speak about her book this spring and these were some of the questions she brought up for me. I realize my attack on people's spelling may be a bit harsh but I was angered to see that while "Paradise" received an average of 3 1/2 stars on Amazon, "A Child called It" received 4 1/2. Do people who post on this thing think? Or do you guys just like to read for the sake of pro! ving to others you can? I think Oprah perhaps had too much faith in her audience when recommending this book. While I can respect criticism of "Paradise" I cannot stand by while people slander this book simply because they didn't "get it".

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Summary: Toni Morrison writes the best books in the world.
Review: I have read almost every book Toni Morrison has ever written. She is very focused on the issues projected in this novel. Men and women, men and God, and God to men is the main theme throughout. I really liked this book, but I suggest that it not be taken lightly. Don't time yourself and try to rush through. Read a little and stop for a few hours just to contemplate what you have just experienced.

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Summary: Took too many liberties with the readers level of patience
Review: As usual with Morrison's books, you truly have to be a "thinker" to enjoy her style of writing. I have always considered myself a pretty high level "thinker". I understood the book with all of its twists and turns and character shifts. However, I feel that she took far too many liberties with the patience of her readers. Why would she possibly think it was OK to make this book almost intolerable to read. Was this book her soapbox? Where was the dialogue between characters. I feel she spent so much time rambling on and on, and then when you finally actually get to some concrete dialogue between the characters, you were relieved she had finally stepped aside and let her characters develop. At times, I was awe struck by her literary genius, and then all of a sudden, for several more pages, it was as if written by and adult with ADHD - impulsive, without organized thought, and rambling on and on without regard. I have to say this book is not one I! would recommend. It did not have to be this difficult to get through, it should have been a treasure, something to pass on to your friends, and a book that the memory of it is cherished, as many of her other books have been. We waited for so long for this book, and for it to be such a disappointment to so many, is a shame.

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Summary: ONE OF THE GREATEST BOOKS OF OUR TIME!!!
Review: After I read Beloved a few years ago (based on someone's recommendation) I knew I would read anything Ms.Morrison wrote. It's not easy reading her books, but what joy. The language, the characters, the COMPLEX (yes, pleasantly, complex) plot. She makes you think. She makes you feel proud that you have a brain and can use it. Sometimes it's helpful to step out of your narrow point of view and look at people and life from a bigger prespective. I just finished Song of Solomon and loved that too, but Paradise is definitely a more complex book.

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Summary: Brilliant, lyrical, fascinating
Review: I came to Paradise via audio tape and thought it the most convoluted, daunting, and confusing thing I had ever heard. I couldn't tell whether the time of the passages was present, near past, or far past. I couldn't tell who was who, who was related to whom, nor how the characters tied together. But I was reading it for a reading club of which I was a new member so I was determined to understand. And so I listened and listened and understanding came, and then appreciation, and then awe at the astounding power of this story and of the author who wrote it. And finally I was glad I had struggled through it because at the end of that literary journey I found an experience I had seldom felt, a kinship with the characters, a profound understanding of the passions and emotions of the women and men of the town and the convent. I am now purchasing the book and expect a joyful reunion with the humanity and inhumanity of Paradise.

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Summary: more than worth the while -- a model for aspiring writers
Review: After reading Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and half of Sula, I eagerly anticipated the time to read Paradise. As a high school English teacher, summer is my best time to give a novel my undivided attention and so I've just finished Morrison's latest dance with the page. I love it! While I still have some questions regarding the conclusion(were the Convent girls really saved or were they appearing as spirits much like Beloved did? and why did the author end with Save-Marie's death?), Morrison's message about how we treat each other and the suspense she maintains through 300+ pages are awe-inspiring.

I read the book pausing between most chapters and over the period of two and a half weeks. While the beginning of a page or a chapter may have been confusing, I had full confidence that Morrison would answer my questions if I read on. She did. I was never confused to the point of frustration. In fact, I like her stylistic approach to mask the every-day in mystery. It makes me! think (which many novels do not,) and it revives my imagination. When I read Beloved, I was struck by her original language-the way her words flowed like poetry water. I give Paradise a 4 instead of a 5 b/c I did not note as many beautiful, natural descriptions in this novel. Some of the metaphors, similes, and other figurative language used were perhaps, overdone. So for those who criticize the language in comparison to past novels, I understand. However, I enjoyed reading this book tremendously and think you will too if you acknowledge the fact that it is not your "every day read," and if you revel in poetic language. Also, for any writers aspiring publication, such as myself, Morrison can be matched only by Faulkner in the ability to create sense out of apparent chaos. How does she do it? How does one maintain suspense from page 1 to page 318? How does she develop so many characters so well? (I disagree with those of you who claim her characters are one-dimension! al and I offer you Soane and Connie as evidence). I invite ! any of you who still have questions about the book and who are excited to discuss it, to send me a message. I wish I had read this novel in the context of a book group as it is so rich and wonderful I am compelled to share thoughts and compare notes.

And to those of you who hated it, two ideas: finish it or don't write reviews of it. try writing complex prose with a universal message yourself sometimes.

Hats off to Toni Morrison...again.

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Summary: This book was not ata ll what I expected it to be.
Review: I found out about this book through the Opra Winfre Show. This book was not at all what I expected it to be. I have tried reading and re-reading the book. This is one book that I feel that I have wasted my money on. I only bought it because Opra recommended it, and I thought Opra has good books to read in her book of the month club. Oh well, you can't win them all.

Rating:
Summary: Warning: Brain Usage Required
Review: Many people complain that this novel is much too complex. I think that maybe we a re too willing to read books that just take us away and do not require us to think. I am only nineteen years old and did not feel that it was too complex or too difficult to read. You may need to take notes, reread certain sections or read the entire novel more than once to REALLY get the big picture but it is certainly not beyond comprehension. Paradise is an excellent story that sucks you in and tempts you to keep turning the page. Morrison once again displays the extremely high quality of writing found in Beloved making Paradise a highly enjoyable book.