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booksandjazz's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking. Gorgeous. Inspiring. Cathartic. Healing.
mooretacos's review against another edition
2.0
I never read Morrison in high school or in college, so as an African American woman I took it upon myself to start reading her works on my own in adulthood. I think a younger me that constantly felt underrepresented and misunderstood by everyone, including other African Americans that were oblivious to the Alternative Black scene, would have enjoyed her but as someone who has come to love and celebrate herself, I do not feel seen or represented. After a lifetime of writing about the subjugation and (sexual) violence inflicted upon Black women, I was hoping her later work would have something more uplifting about our existence in it. I did not need that much child molestation in one novel, especially since it didn't seem to drive the narrative arc at a certain point.
gondorsfinest's review against another edition
4.0
Instead of the story about colorism I expected, I got pulled into an intricately woven net of trauma and complicated interpersonal relationships.
Even though I felt some imbalance in the plot (it seemed unfinished at times), I thought the character-driven narration was really compelling and emotional. Believable characters and honest, intelligent prose. It really broke my heart that trauma and child abuse was present in so many backgrounds, yet the characters bore their burdens alone and hurt others and themselves as they struggled to keep carrying those burdens years afterwards. It made Bride's interactions with Rain and Booker towards the end even more memorable and touching.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a character-driven novel with a more introspective plot and a three-dimensional exploration of shame, trauma and guilt.
Even though I felt some imbalance in the plot (it seemed unfinished at times), I thought the character-driven narration was really compelling and emotional. Believable characters and honest, intelligent prose. It really broke my heart that trauma and child abuse was present in so many backgrounds, yet the characters bore their burdens alone and hurt others and themselves as they struggled to keep carrying those burdens years afterwards. It made Bride's interactions with Rain and Booker towards the end even more memorable and touching.
I'd recommend this book if you're looking for a character-driven novel with a more introspective plot and a three-dimensional exploration of shame, trauma and guilt.
lionessramping's review against another edition
3.0
Morrison can write the heck out of anything, even a meandering novel with uncomfortably forced-seeming quirks, not really there characters and a lack of any real finish.
pierreamour's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heidipolkissa82's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hearmegrowl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0