The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Toni Morrison (1931-2019)

Novels
1970 The Bluest Eye
1973 Sula
1977 Song of Solomon
1981 Tar Baby
1987 Beloved
1992 Jazz
1997 Paradise
2003 Love
2008 A Mercy
2012 Home
2015 God Help the Child

I've only read two of her novels, Beloved, which I thought was great. Loved the writing, the plot surprised me- it was a book full of twists and turns with a powerful message.

The other one is Sula, which made me laugh. I admit I prefer it when Morrison uses wicked humor, I think it suits her more.

My sister has the bluest eye and song of solomon, which I will nab when I visit her.

A huge loss to literature (and the world). RIP.

I am ashamed to say I have never read anything by her (unless you count hearing some of a radio adaptation of Beloved) - all of these wonderful tributes strengthen the belief that I should rectify that soon.

Yes, she didn't used to seem a canonical "must read" in the UK in the same way as she did in the US, though I think she has been mentioned more over the past few years due to BLM etc. I only ended up with a copy of Beloved because of a book group session I didn't even go to at the time. When I did read it I was very impressed with how good it was in combining psychology of trauma, historical issues and the supernatural. I did not get on with The Color Purple and had assumed Beloved would be similar but it is much better and has more going on in it as a literary work.

I have only read her last three and will be looking to read the earlier ones.

Five poems by Toni Morrison, courtesy of Believer Magazine:

https://believermag.com/five-poems-by...

I must also join those saying I am ashamedly almost entirely unaware of her books.

I’ve read three of her novels and my confession is I’ve rated them 3* (The Bluest Eye), 3* (Beloved), and 2* (A Mercy). In hindsight, this feels like a cruel judgment, since I don’t have any bad memories of reading her work really. And I thought I really liked The Bluest Eye! More the reason to revisit some of these, and I’ve been meaning to read Song of Solomon for ages.

She is one of my favorite authors- Song of Solomon is my favorite by her, and one of the best books I’ve read. I’ve been listening to The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations off and on- she had so much wisdom and insight.

A tribute from one of this year's Booker judges:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentis...

I am sad to say I have not read anything by the author in 30 years and will get around to reading her again soon. My admiration for her work and influence has grown steadily since. I cannot count how often I read an author like Jesmyn Ward and see the tremendous influence of Morrison. If a group read develops, let me know.

Earlier this year Backlisted did an episode on Beloved, and I thought it was a great exploration of just how vital her work is. She wasn’t just telling stories, she was reworking the American canon in an important way. I recommend the episode. I haven’t read The Bluest Eye yet, so maybe I will just start there at the beginning and work my way through her work chronologically.

The Bluest Eye changed the way I see the world.

I think it’s generally accepted that Beloved is her most important work because it made white America see enslaved people as real people, as mothers who grieved their stolen children and who longed for agency over their own lives and the lives of their children.

I’ve read all of her novels except Home and God Help the Child, both of which I will read after the Bookers.

I loved The Color Purple, but that was written by Alice Walker.

I have never read any of Morrison's books, although "Love" and "Jazz" have both been on my shelves since 2011 and 2012.
I'd love to participate in a group read at some point :-)

I've read all of her books now. I finished the final one that I'd been saving for a while after she died. I'm also busy revisiting Paule Marshall's work. She died soon after Toni Morrison died, which made me so sad. One thing I'm VERY sure of is that I've missed a lot of significance in both women's work. Morrison has a lovely introduction in Home where she takes the first sentence in the book & shows why she wrote every single word the way she did -- and what they mean. It made me so aware that I've missed a ton, despite reading some of her books multiple times. So I'm up for a group read too!

(BTW, I'm in the market for a signed copy of The Bluest Eye and Beloved if anyone ever trips over one - first editions would be great, but at this point, I'll take any edition. I've got feelers out at shops in London & the US, but would be happy if someone just happened to find one somewhere ;-) Also Marshall's Soul Clap Hands & Sing.)

Louise wrote: "I have never read any of Morrison's books, although "Love" and "Jazz" have both been on my shelves since 2011 and 2012.
I'd love to participate in a group read at some point :-)"

I'm still playing catch-up to the prizes and my Richard Powers so I have been shuffling my reading list accordingly. I am still interested in a joint read, since I enjoy discussions. I probably won't free time till later in the year though. I was thinking of breaking my read up by reading The Bluest Eye through Tar Baby, then after a break, reading the trilogy, and finally finishing with the last novels. I am open to other suggestions. I like the idea of full author reads and hope others might be interested, and hope the group shows interest. The author need not be Toni Morrison, but I would enjoy another go.

What is the trilogy? Did Toni Morrison write a trilogy?!

I read God Help the Child at the end of August. Of course it was very good, but nothing compares to Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Sula. The last three I hope to reread in 2020.

WndyJW wrote: "What is the trilogy? Did Toni Morrison write a trilogy?!

I read God Help the Child at the end of August. Of course it was very good, but nothing compares to Beloved, The Bluest Eye..."

Beloved, Jazz, and Paradise were written as standalone books that are complementary on theme. Morrison voices her intent in the Brick interview linked below.

https://brickmag.com/an-interview-wit...

Oh, wow, thank you, Sam. If I had to guess a trilogy I would not have guessed those 3. I haven’t read Paradise or Jazz. I need to get through literary award season and read all of her work.

I hadn't realized that either. When Morrison died, I had only read Beloved, so have started making my way through her work chronologically. So far I've read The Bluest Eye and Sula, with everything else to go.

The Bluest Eye is profound. It changed the way I see the world by making me realize more fully how differently others view our shared society.

Several of Toni Morrison's novels are down to 99p on UK kindle. It doesn't appear to be part of a daily deal or monthly deal so I don't know how long they will be at that price.

Love, Song of Soloman, Sula, Jazz, The Bluest Eye, God Help the Child, Mercy.

I have begun my read/reread of Toni Morrison. I plan on reading the first four novels at one per month and then reevaluate whether to continue with the trilogy or break for a bit. I have just finished The Bluest Eye, The next in publication order is Sula. Of the first four I had only read The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon, so I have a couple of treats coming up. Having not read The Bluest Eye or any Morrison in some time, my initial reaction was, "How Bleak!!" I had forgotten. My second thought was for a flawed first novel, there is much promise. Third thought is males are in for it, so I better toughen my skin. I had remembered on first read that I had dismissed the behavior of Cholly as representative of a certain type of male, thus I felt no identification with him. I did got a different feeling this time. The same goes for black versus white. Some of Morrison's barbs stuck this time around. If anyone cares to join in reading or commentary as I go along, feel free to post here. Any recommendations for criticism would be welcome. My only projected read is the Morrison section in Arnold Weinstein's Recovering Your Story: Proust, Joyce, Woolf, Faulkner, Morrison.

So, you’re reading Sula in January, Sam? I will read with you, I’d like to reread all her novels. (And all the books that came from subscriptions and ignore the awards for a year!) I read Beloved recently, but it’s been a few years since I read The Bluest Eye so I will read that soon, mostly because I want to, but also because my beautiful, bi-racial 12 yr old granddaughter asked how old she has to be to read it and casually mentioned that she’s always wanted blue eyes. I think 14 might be a good age, but I need to refresh my memory.

She is tough on men, but I think she puts their behavior in the context of the humiliations and emasculating abuse they were subjected to so it’s possible to feel some compassion for them even as we condemn their behavior.

WndyJW wrote: "So, you’re reading Sula in January, Sam? I will read with you, I’d like to reread all her novels. (And all the books that came from subscriptions and ignore the awards for a year!) I read Beloved r..."

I will probably start reading Sula in two weeks and make a comment in the last week of December. My read will be more casual and pleasure driven than analytical so feel free to join in any way you wish. I would enjoy to hear your comments. I will probably reread Their Eyes Were Watching God as an influence, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and The Color Purple as similar contemporaries. On sharing the book with your granddaughter, I suggest reviewing it first since I forgotten how much selfish cruelty was displayed in the book, sexually and otherwise. One theme I will be tracking though these novels is how Morrison contrasts self interests compared to love and compassion. I also suggest sampling Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations as another book you might enjoy reading with your grandaughter. It is a graphic memoir that explores mixed race issues and I am liking it.

I’m half way though Sula. Somehow Toni Morrison tells epic stories of generations of memorable characters, exploring every human emotion and experience, using lush, sensuous prose in less than 250 pages.
She truly is a genius.

I do recall some very disturbing scenes in The Bluest Eye so I will also tell my daughter-in-law to read it so she can decide if Grace is old enough.

I will check out Good Talk, thank you!

Thanks for reminding me that I want to read Good Talk. It had an unreasonably long waitlist at the library and then I forgot. I'll have to get on that list now.

Morrison & men is a complicated relationship, but I think her best book for men might be HOME, though I'm not an expert, and I've not read all of her books recently.

I just finished Sula. I do love Toni Morrison.

WndyJW wrote: "I’m half way though Sula. Somehow Toni Morrison tells epic stories of generations of memorable characters, exploring every human emotion and experience, using lush, sensuous prose in less than 250 ..."

Thanks for your thoughts Wndy. I'll post when I have finished.
Has anyone seen the recent documentary?
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/toni...

Well, heh - I started watching it one night & fell asleep. I haven't turned on the TV since that night. When I do, I plan on finishing it. (It's on Hulu, for those who use that.)

Ella wrote: "Well, heh - I started watching it one night & fell asleep. I haven't turned on the TV since that night. When I do, I plan on finishing it. (It's on Hulu, for those who use that.)"

Thank you Ella. I probably won't watch it till I have finished the first four novels.

I saw it when it came out and it was wonderful! Sam, unless you have a specific reason for waiting until after your read the novels to watch the documentary I would encourage you to watch it soon. She gives nothing away about the stories and learning about her life and her inspiration for the stories makes reading them that much more enjoyable.

Sula is the first book that truly shows Morrison's skills and defines her voice. I think the novel's best achievement is the chapter, "1922." As a chapter, it is self-contained, and could be published as a short story as well as being the most integral chapter in the book. At the center is the scene with Chicken Little, one of the most memorable in Morrison's canon, and in twentieth century American literature. I am curious, do the international readers get the same thrill from the way Morrison crafts her prose to evoke so many different allusions? (For example, the key scene's relation to Breugel's Fall of Icarus and Auden's Musée des Beaux Arts, or later in the chapter, the evocation of the Jet photos of Emmett Till ) I think this is Morrison at her best, but next for me is Song for Solomon, the book that was her breakout novel. And my first read of hers. I'll post comments in January. If anyone else has thoughts on Sula, I would like to hear them.

I'd just like to share my favorite Toni Morrison moment ever (youtube video: beware) It's Toni Morrison on Charlie Rose discussing a question that had been posed to her previously. From 1998. As he notes, the question may not be great, but her answer elevates everything, as usual.
https://youtu.be/-Kgq3F8wbYA

(And Sula remains one of my absolute favorite novels. I agree with everything Sam says above.) One of the best things to do is take any sentence from her books (especially a first or last sentence) and see if you can find all of the allusions and meanings in it. It could create a lifetime of work. She does it for us in the intro to HOME, I believe. I'm pretty sure that's the one.

I adore Toni Morrison the person, and reading her sentences is like floating in warm satin. She is absolutely the best.
I wonder if her stories of black experience in America feel the same to readers in other countries? None of us had to look up Emmit Till photos or google Emmitt and his mother, they are so much a part of the fabric of America and it’s greatest and enduring sin.

Reading her is different than reading other slave stories or other stories of black experience because she said I am writing for “us,” for black people, she does not explain or couch her stories so white audiences will understand.

I think I’ll put aside Barbara Comyn and end the year with Toni Morrison.

I have begun the trilogy of Beloved, Jazz, and Paradise, over the next two months. So far the Toni Morrison reread is very satisfying.

Decided to have a look at the Toni Morrison thread and this is lovely! I am reading all of her novels this year and I am super excited. I have read only Beloved before, as part of my undergrad syllabus, and I was in awe of her talent. The plan was to read one book a month starting February but considering that it is April now and I just began The Bluest Eye, I am obviously running late. Still, the plan to finish them all by the end of the year remains unchanged. The nonfiction after that. Will drop thoughts here as the project progresses.

Areeb wrote: "Decided to have a look at the Toni Morrison thread and this is lovely! I am reading all of her novels this year and I am super excited. I have read only Beloved before, as part of my undergrad syll..."
I paused my Morrison read after reading Paradise last year. That novel easily made my top five reads of the year. I plan to get back to reading her again after the early prize season starting with Jazz since I read Paradise out of order.

Wait, Beloved, Jazz and Paradise make up a trilogy? How did I not know that?!

Beloved is one of my top novels ever.

I only learned that last year as well. I would have guessed Beloved, Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon because they are the most famous and my 3 favorite along with Sula.

I would encourage anyone who is able to find it to watch Pieces I Am, the documentary about Toni Morrison, if no other reason than to hear in her own words where she got the inspiration for how to start Beloved.

Beloved and The Bluest Eye are in my top ten novels.

WndyJW wrote: "I only learned that last year as well."

Ah, that makes me feel marginally better! The Bluest Eye will be my next Morrison, I think.

Just finished The Bluest Eye and wow. WOW. A debut novel like this...

She only gets better!

Right?! I’m jealous you’re reading her for the first time, Areeb.
Read The Bluest Eye, Roman Clodia, it’s a quick read, but you will feel it forever.

More than halfway through my Toni Morrison project—currently waist-deep in Paradise, her seventh novel—I truly believe that she is not remotely read enough. Each book has been so fresh and unique in terms of writing, language, structure, ideas, that I marvel at her creativity and talent, her drive to radically reinvent while at the same time working with a regenerating core, a common kernel present throughout. I urge you all to become Morrison completeists because it is very seriously worth it and she is definitely a writer who rewards multiple rereadings.

Toni Morrison got a lot of attention years ago, but we don’t hear enough about her these days it seems.
Areeb, if you can find Pieces I Am, a documentary about her, watch it. It is so good I wanted to stay in my seat and watch it all over again. I love that she tells the story of the catalyst to getting Beloved off the back burner of her mind and on to paper; what she saw that showed her how to start that most excellent novel.
I have read almost everything by her, but expect to read it all again and again.

Great reminder Areeb and Wndy that I need to read more Toni Morrison - it's so easy to get distracted with new books, isn't it? I'm thinking that I might need to actually plan at least some of my reading next year to make sure that I don't miss out on authors I want to read more of.

Areeb wrote: "More than halfway through my Toni Morrison project—currently waist-deep in Paradise, her seventh novel—I truly believe that she is not remotely read enough. Each book has been so fresh and unique i..."

I found Paradise brilliant, far better than initial reviews. I took a break right after reading the book, since I felt utterly satisfied and wanted to save her other novels for later. This past week my live book club read Sula and in rereading the novel I was just as thrilled as with my last reread. I will be returning to the author soon.

I read A Mercy this year, after it's been sitting on my shelf for years. I had it in my head that it was a 'minor' Morrison to get to eventually. Now I'm embarrassed to put the words 'minor' and 'Morrison' in the same sentence. The brilliance of this book is so compressed that I'm still unpacking it. I plan to be a Morrison completist too.