Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - The Bluest Eye

Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

413 reviews

ashleykhoffman's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this. You can tell it's an early Toni Morrison work and I think her later works are a much better representation of the voice she developed. I do think this work was poignant and portrayed the message it wanted to, but I agree with the forward of the book that the style might not have been the best fit for the message. I see why this is a classic, but I also see why it sits on banned book lists, because this book did not shy away from hard or despicable topics; it even described pedophilia with an almost reverence through the character's eyes and I found those parts really hard to read.

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theromanticace's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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ewilsonn's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read, and Toni Morrison has made a new fan out of me. The only criticism I have is that I enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more than the second half. That being said, I can understand why books that make us feel uncomfortable are important.

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stargazerfish0's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The worst things that you can imagine happen in this book. I found a lot of parts hard to read, but I understand the experiment of it all. I think it's important to read the Foreward - both before and after to remind yourself - to understand its purpose. While any notes I have about the writing wouldn't do it justice, even Morrison herself admits that she doesn't know if she accomplished her goal, and I think its treatment by the Oprah Winfrey Club is a good example of that. I highly suggest that if you read this book, you read it first with the purpose of engaging with Morrison in her intention and critically analyzing why you think that it worked or did not work. I know that's a lot to ask of all readers, but this book is so full of disturbing subject matter that I think a distanced approach is best.

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