Emotive, disturbing, and unputdownable (Beloved - Toni Morrison)

Member Name: hulahoop

Product:	Beloved - Toni Morrison
Date:	15/09/00 (712 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A book that will affect you for life

Disadvantages: Could be a little confusing if not read properly

This book was slightly ruined for me by the fact that I had to study it at school. Last minute readings meant that I missed some of the details, but as time progressed it turned out to be one book that I really enjoyed studying. The startling, almost unbelievable start of this novel made me read on and on until it was properly explained, and the characters so shockingly disturbed by their past were upsetting, but amazing. The narrator takes the reader through a confused chronology, describing many different aspects of slavery in the Deep South of America during the abolition years. Nothing is revealed in too much detail at one time, giving the reader an understanding of the way that all of the occurrences and consequences are interlinked and damaging for all concerned. The family in this book are virtually ruined physically, and mentally by the actions of white men in the slave trade. I found some of the violence and degradation very disturbing, partly because of the detailed descriptions. The main character's wounds are used as a symbol for everything in slavery, from its pain to its spreading consequences, allowing the reader to really understand what life was like for those affected.

Probably not a book for the light-hearted, but you can take a lot away from it. Such a harrowing narrative could probably help you to realise that your life is not that bad after all, if nothing else!!

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