Paradise

Rating:
Summary: praise for paradise
Review: I have been a Toni Morrison fan for many years now. When I learned that she was putting out a new book I rushed out to buy it and had great expectations. I was not disappointed. I believe this to be Morrison's most profound work. The characters were so complex yet real. In her own unique style Toni Morrison has set out to teach a lesson to all those who chose to embark upon this journey to Paradise. Morrison shows that paradise is only what we make it and that what is perfect for one is not perfect for all. If you love a good, complex, and eye opening read then you will love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Four because she is, after all,
Review: the goddess Toni Morrison. An earth goddess, yes, but nevertheless a goddess of literature and wisdom, symbolic for women the world over as One Who Has Made It, One Who Has Expressed It, One Who Teaches, etc. She is among my favorite writers. I don't love each work equally, but she's an artist, so she's entitled to irritate or bore on occasion. I notice from previous reviews that, like all artists, she touches some and leaves others cold. What I got from Paradise is her ongoing teaching that not all African American people were raised in the south; not all were directly effected by slavery; in other words, there are myriad Black stories just as there are myriad White stories. This one was particularly odd. I just got the unabridged audio version to find out what I missed in a first reading, and I'm sure there will be much. To dissatisfied reviewers: some literature is not a quick read. It takes a bit of thought, study, review, and if it's a nonlinear book you might have to re-read it in a nonlinear way, even keeping a journal of what baffles you until the pieces of the puzzle fit. In that way, Ms. Morrison is not unlike Faulkner, whose great book The Sound And the Fury has bedeviled readers for years. I feel this novel is a box of (Pandora's) secrets, or a puzzle. Thanks again to the goddess and the Goddess for another fascinating collaboration.

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Rating:
Summary: Hmmm, have I perchance put the cart before the horse?
Review: I had to pick a number so I shall take a positive approach. I've just purchased Beloved and Paradise - wish I'd read the reviews first! I now fear I have a somewhat daunting task ahead. Wish me luck!

Rating:
Summary: Literature is NOT always a linear progression!
Review: Morrison's novel Paradise is a literary jigsaw puzzle of time, place and space. Personally, I enjoyed the complexities of keeping track of the novel's time and was not confused by the "jumping around." Morrison has carefully placed many "clues" in her novel and if the reader pays close attention to the book they will be able to follow the plot without any pain! I found it helpful to jot down certain dates now and then for quick reference. A demanding but worthwile read!

Rating:
Summary: Considering Paradise
Review: Morrison has truly lived up to her potential as a writer in her most recent novel Paradise. I found the complexity of her lyrical writing to be both intriguing and moving. The novel fits in well with the trilogy comprised of Beloved and Jazz. The feature that stands out the most to me as a reader, a student of literature, and as an author is not just the beauty in the formation of her words on the page but the questions they ask people to consider. Morrison is able to make the reader ask why do people act violently, why do they choice to exclude those people and notions so central to constructions of self and paradise. For anyone looking for a deep thought provoking and beautifully written novel that won't leave you unchanged, I strongly recommend considering Paradise. If you liked Beloved your bound to love Paradise, or if you simply a true Morrison fan, you must add this to your library.

Rating:
Summary: Dazed
Review: This novel hurls you into a situation leavin you dazed and confused. It is difficult to understand what exactly is going on. The actual story is great though Tonie Morrison's writing style is confusing. I do not recommend this novel unless you have a lot of time on your hands to take notes on the story line.

Rating:
Summary: Morrison proves herself, once again.
Review: Toni Morrison has always been one of my favorite authors. Last winter, I received Paradise as a gift, and I couldn't wait to begin reading it. However, once I did, although I felt like I was reading it all the time, it took me seven months to finish it. There are hundreds of characters, jumbled together, and at times, I found it hard to stay interested. However, Morrison's talent is evident with every word and I enjoyed reading it. Some sentences she writes surprise me so, I have to write them down and ponder them! It isn't comparable with Beloved or the Bluest Eye, but its themes were excellent. I absorbed the female characters' strengths and found I learned from their mistakes. Their experiences became my experiences. I would def. reccommend reading this one.

Rating:
Summary: the men of the Ruby attack to woman of the Convent
Review: I think that is so crazy with the men to attack to woman in the Convent as they don't allow their wife to let them out alone as their wife often go to find woman in the Convent. they feel that the reasons with the wife left is woman taught them so man don't like them so much and attack to them and raped or killed them.

Rating:
Summary: What was that book about?
Review: I've never put down a book without finishing it, no matter how horrible it was, until NOW! I did not understand ANYTHING that was going on from chapter to chapter. I think Oprah was out of her mind for putting this on her list. However, Oprah's theme of books seem to be whatever is the most dark and depressing reading she can get her hands on and this is definately one of those. That was clear, even if I couldn't follow along with what else was going on in the book

Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: This is the first work of Toni Morrison's that I've read; I'd wondered what all the talk was about--had heard she had received both Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes--wondered if she could live up to the expectations created about her. I was duly impressed by Paradise. It's something I could really sink my teeth into, thought-provoking, moving. Inciting. I'm now eager to read more of her novels, and learn more about her. I'm sure both will be fascinating. Recommended for the dedicated, open-minded reader.