Paradise

Rating:
Summary: To the lady on the Train: It Wasn't Worth It!
Review: I was sitting on the train home from work, determined to "get through" the last 40 pages of my new book when the woman sitting next to me glanced over and asked if I was enjoying the book. I paused for a moment, turned to her and said, "I don't know!". She then explained that she got through the first 2 chapters of "Paradise" and could not go on. Being someone that feels I would be insulting a book (books are people too!)if I did not finish, I thought everything would work out in the end. It didn't. People had told me this was a brilliant book - I almost felt stupid not feeling the euphoria at the end. That was "almost"... yeah, it was a hard read - big deal! But gosh, to actually recommend people to read it AGAIN?!?! If I was that disappointed after struggling through the first read - lord knows what would happen if I read it again! I'm just relieved it's over!

Rating:
Summary: too heavy
Review: I am nearly finished with this book, and I still waiting for Ms. Morrison to finally disclose what she is trying to say. I want to read novels for comfortable enjoyment. This book certainly doesn't meet that criteria. It is more in line with a heavy college textbook. I would certainly not recommend it for relaxed reading.

Rating:
Summary: it was a great book
Review: I loved this book. I loved the way the first paragraph is really the last and you keep reading to find out why those people are in the convent. It was an incredible book, I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: many layers of intrique
Review: I found this book to be a difficult read. I found that I had to keep rereading sections for clarification. The first sentence captured me and I had to keep reading to find out why the men wanted to harm the women in the convent. I found it interesting that I had a hard time telling who were black and who were caucasian. At times I felt like I should have read the book with a piece of paper and a pencil so I could keep track of who was who. I did enjoy the book and was so proud of myself when I finished it. When I reread chapter one I found things to be a little clearer so I may reread the book. I would recommend this book as a challenging read.

Rating:
Summary: be immersed in paradise
Review: This book is wonderful!!! Better than Beloved, which was my favorite. The characters are brilliantly sketched out. Morrison is a brilliant artist with an exceptional talent in evoking powerful and unexpected images. She paints her characters with perfect fluidity. The shocking introductory sentence is mind-numbing. The clever contrasts between the Oven and the Convent was provocative. This is a novel about life and freedom. The hopes of all people. A must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing, challenging and good all at the same time
Review: This book was very confusing, challenging and enjoyable all at the same time. The characters were well developed and the story caused me to think and contemplate life in ways that I had not thought of before. After reading this novel I thought for days about the various characters and what had happened to them. I have to admit that I made a list of characters and who they were related to in order to help me through the text. This novels is certainly a good read but I am not sure that Toni Morrison needs to make her writing so difficult in order to inform and stimulate her readers. Happy reading!

Rating:
Summary: The language soared and so did my spirit.
Review: I read the book before the hoopla and found it a rich reading experience- a full symphony, a multicourse meal. I had feelings not experienced since"Song of Myself' was asigned in lit class. I will now read it again for more layers of experience,and not for "difficulty."

Rating:
Summary: Not Paradise but Purgatory!
Review: My irritation overflows at Oprah for promoting a book with such inthusiasm that is so painful to slog through. Had it been a movie I would have walked out. Because I had faith in her selection powers I finished the book. I couldn't regret it more.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Divine
Review: I admit that Paradise is a hard read, but Toni Morrison's work usually is. While the characters were many and embedded in prose, one must remember that not one word is wasted. To fully understand a Paradise one must do more than read. Read with a pen if necessary. It might require more than one reading to completely understand Ms. Morrison's version of Paradise or "hell on Earth" for that matter, but the rewards are great. The Biblical subtext is meaningful and relevant and she has in my opinion, produced a scholarly work. For those who complain that this novel was scattered and just plain difficult, I would suggest starting off with one of her easier works (i.e The Bluest Eye or Sula) and then working up to Song of Solomon, Beloved and Paradise. I can almost guarantee that you will change your review.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and Divine
Review: I admit that Paradise is a hard read, but Toni Morrison's work usually is. While the characters were many and embedded in prose, one must remember that not one word is wasted. To fully understand a Toni Morrison book one must do more than read. Read with a pen if necessary. It might require more than one reading to completely understand Ms. Morrison's version of Paradise or hell on Earth for that matter, but the rewards are great. For those who complain that this novel was scattered and just plain difficult, I would suggest starting off with one of her easier works (i.e The Bluest Eye or Sula) and then working up to Song of Solomon, Beloved and Paradise. I can almost guarantee that you would change your review.