My second reading was oh so much better! It is a classic. I’ll keep it on my bookshelf forever. It’s beautiful written, even though some passages had to be reread. The second time was easier reading. This would be a great club discussion book. OMG…a very lively discussion in today’s time.
Isn’t it ridiculous when people look at your skin shade and make assumptions based on that? We humans seem never to cease categorizations based on irrelevancies. And so many tragedies result as Morrison illustrated
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Overall, this is one of the most disturbing and depressing books I have ever read. Toni Morrison has a gift for creative and descriptive writing, but it was overpowered by the subject matter. While I don’t believe in burying my head in the sand regarding difficult topics, I think the disgusting parts of the story could have been written in a more tasteful manner and we could have all been spared the details.
I found The Bluest Eye to be sad in so many ways. From what some people have had to suffer in past because of racism and what people of color are still suffering today because of continued racist policies in our communities and country.
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I absolutely loved the novel. I have heard had many claim this to be one of the best debuts written and Toni Morrison has a wonderful reputation and I understand why. I really resonated with the themes around beauty and found it extremely thought provoking and emotive.
I had a hard time getting through this book. It was just so depressing but I finally finished it. It was not a fun read by any means, but probably an important read. It was heartbreaking, thoughtful, and real. The story dives into some very dark parts of humanity while exploring race, gender, and class. Toni Morrison brought to life the complexities of the people in this story, including their painful backgrounds and their somewhat unwelcoming neighborhood. I struggled at times with trying to follow the different characters.
This is probably the most heartbreaking, hopeless book I have read in my 72 years. It is such a visceral book on race, class, gender, neglect, and emotional and sexual abuse.
Many readers commented on the perception of ugly vs beauty in the context of white vs black. That is definitely an aspect of the book, but for me the greater theme was the absolute aloneness of Pecola. She lived on a deserted island in the middle of a community. Her family gave her no attention, much less love and the community did not reach out to her. Frieda and Claudia observed her, but as young girls themselves they didn’t have ability to make a difference in her life. To me, the book was a recording of their regret.
The emotional and sexual abuse and neglect she suffered was unbelievable. The episode with the privileged only child made me sick. I felt she latched onto the idea of blue eyes in order to have hope, but that, too, in the end abandoned her. The last few pages left me desolate.