Rating:  Summary: Good Writing Makes for a Rewarding Read Review: I was also a bit reluctant to pick up this book, as Morrison is a bit daunting in reputation. I'm glad I decided to read it though. The writing style Morrison brings to the pages is very descriptive, and yet very understandable. The story itself is easily followed, and is touching. She uses several narrators throughout the book, and each one helps us understand the situation. She shows the history of the hate..the roots that brought them here...but not in an annoyingly verbose way that sometimes occurs. The book is so well written with a plot that is very touching...it's a shame not to read this.
Rating:  Summary: Another Masterpiece by Toni Review: This was a great but simple read by Toni. It was moving and captivating. I found it easy to follow and passed it on to my teenage daughter. You would want to read this one on the porch swing.
Rating:  Summary: Surprisingly good... Review: I will admit to some apprehension prior to picking up this book. I had heard that Toni Morrison, although a brilliant author, is a little hard to understand. And there's nothing I hate more than wading through a book full of abstract poetic descriptions and thick symbolism that goes right over my head. Despite all this, I pulled up my bootstraps and dived right in. What was to follow was quite a surprise.The Bluest Eye tell the story of the Breedloves, a poor black family living in Lorain, Ohio in the early 1940s. Each chapter tells something different -- the journey of the dad, Cholly, from curious young boy to a drunk and unloving father; the history of the mother, Pauline, and her dreams of movie stars and romance; and the childhood of the children, Sammy and Pecola, and how they deal with life as they've been given. Full of hardships and unfairness, the Breedloves have been through tough times most of their lives. And young Pecola's wishes of blue eyes and blonde hair in order to be loved and respected by others is a testament to the unjust world they lived in. My fear is that this review won't do the book justice. There is so much written here that left me with feelings of sadness and horror, but also of hope -- hope that our world now has moved on from the racism of the past and will eventually surpass it. The Bluest Eye is highly moving and sensitive, and written in an addictive easy and lyrical style. I may have missed an important part of the book, any underlying symbolism or meaning that Toni Morrison was trying to convey -- I don't know. All I do know is The Bluest Eye is a darn good story, and I'm extremely glad I read it.
Rating:  Summary: A powerful novel Review: 'The bluest eye' was Toni Morrison's debut novel, and it was first published in 1970. 'The bluest eye' is a tragic, heartbreaking story. We meet the 11-year-old black girl Pecola Breedlove, and her world - filled with hatred and racism. Her story is not a happy one - her brothers have run away from home, and her drunkard father has sexually abused her. Pecola believes that if she only had blonde hair and blue eyes, all her other problems will go away' The characters are all very well developed, and one has to care deeply for them. The symbolism is easy to understand, and Morrison's prose is beautiful, subtle, and unique. This is a novel that leaves you thinking, wondering about the world we live in. Toni Morrison has quite rightfully won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel Prize. 'The bluest eye', was the third novel I read by Toni Morrison. Honestly, 'The bluest eye' is not her masterpiece (I think that the book 'Song of Solomon' is her best novel) but it is certainly worth reading! An enjoyable read!
Rating:  Summary: Great literature. Review: Pecola Breedlove has only one desire in her life: to possess the blue eyes which were considered beautiful by society. This novel basically focuses on her life and that of her friends, who constantly encounter many hardships in their young lives. A novel of heartbreak, betrayal and a struggle to survive. Toni Morrison is one of the greatest American novelists.
Rating:  Summary: The Bluest Eye Review: Loved it, loved it, loved it!!! This was one of the most touching, amazing, and sad books that I have ever read - it doesn't only discuss racial prejudices that we have and still have, but it also discuss facial prejudices - prejudices against people that may be 'unattractive' to us. Everyone needs to read this book and open their eyes to what's been going on for years.
Rating:  Summary: easiest Morrison to read Review: I've read several of Toni's titles, and most times I get a bit of a headache, and end up feeling like a bit of a fool because it's hard to waiver through the congested prose and imagery. But The Bluest Eye really spoke to me. This story is hearbreaking and painful, yet I still couldn't put it down. It's been a long time since I first read it, but the image of a young girl wishing fervently for something so attainable, and the commentary on racism and beauty that Morrison is able to make through the girl is truly breathtaking and demonstrates that Morrison is one of the finest writers of the 20th century. If you want to read Morrison, but was put off by her other works or becasue you never really figured out "Beloved", read this one. In my opinion, it's her best.
Rating:  Summary: Amazing Amazing Amazing! Review: There are no words that I can use to convey the beauty of this book. Just buy it. I can't see how you could possibly regret it. I was left in awe.
Rating:  Summary: a hard read Review: as with most of Toni Morrison's work, this book skips around and is difficult to follow. But it does accomplish what it sets out to--makes the reader pity impoverished, unattractive African-Americans.
Rating:  Summary: Sad,True and Gripping story! Review: The Bluest Eye tells the tale of so many African American children. This particular child, Pecola Breedlove, believes that all her troubles will go away if she only had 'blue eyes' like the white girls, and blonde hair. She believes she would be loved if she had 'blue eyes'. The want of 'blue eyes' may not be the desire of all African American children, but it is a symbol of how systematically we brain wash our children into believing being just who they are isn't good enough. Who are the WE that I am speaking of....Black People, White People, Human kind. However, I can only speak from experience. This story struck me so deeply when I read it, when I finished I was depressed by the fact that we think we have moved so much farther than we have. Having help raise three girls who were of varying skin tones, I know what it is like to be in a mall and have a white person come up to you and say, "Oh, isn't she pretty!" to the light skin child and you have 2 dark skin children standing there beside you also. How do you reply? "Yes, thank you, all my girls are beautiful." What good does this do...the damage is already done. All the explanations in the world later can't undo the damage that was done to the dark skin children as well as the light skinned child who then begins to believe that "I am different". Morrison has written a powerful story, and I have heard many say they don't understand it...maybe it is because you just have to live it.
|