Beloved (Copy 3)
3 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon:
It is the mid-1800s. At Sweet Home in Kentucky, an era is ending as slavery comes under attack from the abolitionists. The worlds of Halle and Paul D. are to be destroyed in a cataclysm of torment and agony. The world of Sethe, however, is to turn from one of love to one of violence and death - the death of Sethe's baby daughter Beloved, whose name is the single word on the tombstone, who died at her mother's hands, and who will return to claim retribution.
It is the mid-1800s. At Sweet Home in Kentucky, an era is ending as slavery comes under attack from the abolitionists. The worlds of Halle and Paul D. are to be destroyed in a cataclysm of torment and agony. The world of Sethe, however, is to turn from one of love to one of violence and death - the death of Sethe's baby daughter Beloved, whose name is the single word on the tombstone, who died at her mother's hands, and who will return to claim retribution.
Another book that I have bought 2 copies of so I'm hoping it will find a new home via Laralovestoread's Fition and Literature VBB.
I have added my rating and review below but I should add that the rest of my book group was much more enthusiastic!
I have added my rating and review below but I should add that the rest of my book group was much more enthusiastic!
Too obtuse.
I really struggled to finish this book, it just seemed unnecessarily complicated. I read it for a book group and managed to get the gist of most of the book through the discussion, but if I'd been reading it alone I would almost certainly have abandoned it.
I suppose you'd call it a ghost story as Beloved died as a baby. She lives as a spirit in the house occupied by her mother, grandmother, brothers and sister. When the boys leave and the grandmother dies, we are left with just Beloved, her mother and sister. Beloved's presence becomes more and more real as time passes, until we are led to believe that she is actually living in the house.
Meanwhile the story recounts the events that lead up to the family occupying the house. They were originally slaves and the experiences they have had are, at times, quite traumatic. Unfortunately I was not always quite sure exactly what was going on, where the baby was born, what happened to her father etc.
I was sorry that this book was not more readable as the problems encountered when given their freedom are every bit as interesting as the struggles of the slaves while in captivity. I would have liked to have enjoyed this and learned from it.
I had previously read Sula by this author and only rated it 2* (out of 5). I doubt I shall read any more Toni Morrison.
This book is now off to Saskiamobile, chosen from Raralovestoread's VBB.
I hope you enjoy it :)
I really struggled to finish this book, it just seemed unnecessarily complicated. I read it for a book group and managed to get the gist of most of the book through the discussion, but if I'd been reading it alone I would almost certainly have abandoned it.
I suppose you'd call it a ghost story as Beloved died as a baby. She lives as a spirit in the house occupied by her mother, grandmother, brothers and sister. When the boys leave and the grandmother dies, we are left with just Beloved, her mother and sister. Beloved's presence becomes more and more real as time passes, until we are led to believe that she is actually living in the house.
Meanwhile the story recounts the events that lead up to the family occupying the house. They were originally slaves and the experiences they have had are, at times, quite traumatic. Unfortunately I was not always quite sure exactly what was going on, where the baby was born, what happened to her father etc.
I was sorry that this book was not more readable as the problems encountered when given their freedom are every bit as interesting as the struggles of the slaves while in captivity. I would have liked to have enjoyed this and learned from it.
I had previously read Sula by this author and only rated it 2* (out of 5). I doubt I shall read any more Toni Morrison.
This book is now off to Saskiamobile, chosen from Raralovestoread's VBB.
I hope you enjoy it :)
Journal Entry 4 by saskiasosmile at Whitby, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Thanks DubaiReader, for sending this book to me!
I have read another book by this author, that was intriguing, although I had to get into it first.. I am looking forward to see what I can make of this story!
I have read another book by this author, that was intriguing, although I had to get into it first.. I am looking forward to see what I can make of this story!
Thanks Saskiasosmile for sending me this wishlist tag! Much appreciated. Have a good week x
