Finished 7-18-12, rating 5/5, literature, 324 pages, pub. 1987
In Ohio seasons are theatrical. Each one enters like a prima donna, convinced its performance is the reason the world has people in it. (p.136)
This is my fifth stop on my summer Ohio tour. Toni Morrison was born in Ohio and this Pulitzer Prize winning novel takes place in Cincinnati. I chose to read this because it was on my shelf, it was an Ohio book, and I could participate in Molly’s The Classic Bribe 2012. Molly over at Quirky Girls Read is hosting this challenge to read a classic this summer. If you do you can enter to win a $35 Amazon gift card. Since I loved this book this challenge was a win-win for me.
This is the story of Sethe and the many people in her life. Raised as a slave, she escaped with her children to Cincinnati where her mother-in-law was waiting and they all waited for Halle, Sethe’s husband and Baby Suggs son. One day, Paul D from Sweet Home, came knocking at the door and brought with him unwelcome news. The story actually takes place in the years after the Civil War, but the flashbacks cover the years of slavery in the south.
I didn’t know anything before I started and I think the less you know the better. This story about the black experience is told so perfectly as the many layers and years are slowly revealed. All of the characters have their own story and their own contribution to the overall narrative. A narrative that I loved. Some was told in stream of consciousness that only enhanced the otherworldly quality of the book, a much-needed offset to the ugly subjects of slavery, bestiality, rape, torture and worse.
Sethe was my least favorite character and while that would normally doom a book for me in this case it didn’t. The story revolved around Sethe, but it was the story of everyone around her too. Baby Suggs, Denver, Paul D and others all contributed their experiences to the captivating tapestry.
I loved the prose and found it so rich and vivid that I only wanted to take my time reading it. This is not one to rush through. The story got off to a bit of a slow start, but the writing was so poetic that I didn’t care. For me, it was a beautifully told story of heartbreak and triumph and I am so glad that I read it. My words cannot do this book justice, so I’ll have to rely on Morrison herself.
Paul D had only begun, what he was telling her was only the beginning when her fingers on his knee, soft and reassuring, stopped him. Just as well. Just as well. Saying more might push them both to a place they couldn’t get back from. He would keep the rest where it belonged: in that tobacco tin buried in his chest where a red heart used to be. Its lid rusted shut. He would not pry it loose now in front of this sweet sturdy woman, for if she got a whiff of the contents it would shame him. (p. 86)
Whitepeople believed that whatever the manners, under every dark skin was a jungle. Swift unnavigable waters, swinging screaming baboons, sleeping snakes, red gums ready for their sweet white blood. In a way, he thought, they were right. The more coloredpeople spent their strength trying to convince them how gentle they were, how clever and loving, how human, the more they used themselves up to persuade white of something Negroes believed could not be questioned, the deeper and more tangled the jungle grew inside. (p.234)
“A man ain’t nothing but a man,” said Baby Suggs. “But a son? Well now, that’s somebody.” (p.27) In honor of my Gage 🙂
Stacy's Books 
I’ve enjoyed all of the Morrison books I’ve read including this one. Have you read, The Bluest Eye? (My favorite). He new one Home is good as well.
This is my first one but it won’t be my last! The Bluest Eye will be on my reading list soon.
I always knew I wanted to read this book but after reading your review, that want is even stronger. And as one Ohioan to another, I can’t afford to miss this one! Great review!
It’s a must for any Ohio gal 🙂
I was thinking I’d read something by Morrison so went and looked at the books she’s written and don’t think I have. That’s something I need to rectify!
Oh yes, you must. I loved this one, but have so many wonderful things about all of her books.
I really liked this book too, and can’t believe I waited so long to read it!
Us Ohio gals must support each other 🙂
I haven’t read this yet … I’m sorry to say. I really must make time for it.
I started Beloved years ago and never got very far… it’s definitely time to give it another try. I read The Bluest Eye last year and loved it!
I still need to read that one. This one wasn’t easy but by halfway through I was hooked.
I read this one quite some time ago and now I feel like I should revisit this book! Wonderful review on this one, Stacy!!!
You are so right, Stacy!The writing is so beautiful. Morrison gets the experience of ex-slaves across perfectly.
Hooray for another awesome author from Ohio! 🙂 I read this book in high school and it was way too in depth for me. It just went right over my head. Haven’t picked up any Morrison since but think I need to re-consider this. I think I’ll have a much better appreciation for her writing style now that I’m a bit older/more mature.
I can’t imagine trying to read this in high school. It would have gone straight over my head too. With age comes appreciation, I think.
Oh reading this one affected me very much and there were scenes that were difficult to read. And I love that last quote – I agree wholeheartedly!
Sons are pretty great, right?
I didn’t know this took place in Cincinnati! Hmmmm
I didn’t either til I wanted to read Morrison for my Ohio tour and this was the one I had on my shelf. I lucked out with the Cincinnati setting 🙂
I read this one in college and had similar thoughts, that the story was a bit slow at first but the writing was excellent.
I skimmed your review because I have this in my pile to read. I saw that you loved and enjoyed many aspects of it, so thinking I will too. Thanks Stacy.
The book concerns the story of Sethe and her daughter Denver after having escaped from slavery. Their home, 124 Bluestone Road, Cincinnati, is haunted by a revenant , who turns out to be the ghost of Sethe’s daughter. Because of the haunting—- which often involves objects being thrown around the room—- Sethe’s youngest daughter, Denver, is shy, friendless, and housebound, and her sons, Howard and Buglar, have run away from home by the time they are thirteen years old. Soon afterward, Baby Suggs, the mother of Sethe’s husband Halle, dies in her bed.
I’m ashamed to say that I have never yet read any Morrison and she is considered an American great. Thanks for a great review. You make me want to read this one.
Fabulous review. I agree with everything you say.