I started reading this book because it was within my reach while I was rocking Lila to sleep. Before this book, I hadn't read a real book in months. I have read some of Toni Morrison's work before, including Beloved. I remember her work being very moving and sometimes painful to read. This book was indeed moving; very much so. It would be interesting to discuss it with anyone else who has read it! The book jumps around in time, and is told mostly in the third person although one point of view is told in the first person. I found myself wondering why she chose to use certain writing techniques as I was reading. I love a book that makes me think about the writer's process. At the end of this book there was an afterword by the author which I really, really, enjoyed. She explained a bit about why she chose to tell the story in the way she did, and where her inspiration came from. Without this afterword I would have felt a bit confused and in-conclusive.
I would definitely recommend this book. You have to be able to see past the frank telling of certain unpleasant events to appreciate what the writer is trying to say. This is definitely a book for people who appreciate literature and consider themselves "readers." It is not a feel-good read. It makes you think about the ways others used to live, and some that still do. It is an eye-opening, thought provoking book.
I would love to hear your opinion if you have read it!
