Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

480 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Incest, Rape, Racism, and Racial slurs

starregulus's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, and Rape

theromanticace's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Excrement, Death, Incest, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexism, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, and Classism

author2223's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Incest

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Child death

stargazerfish0's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Death, Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Emotional abuse

color0cean's review

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, and Racism

Moderate: Racial slurs

umibozus's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Infidelity

thatone2112's review

dark emotional

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Rape, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Incest, and Body shaming

Moderate: Alcoholism and Classism

Minor: Death of parent and Death

whatamidoing_rn's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, and Rape

catmisae's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

If you’re wanting to read a frequently banned or challenged book but don’t want to be depressed out of your mind, I would recommend looking elsewhere. But if you’re okay with a sad read this will probably be worth your time. 

This is only the second book I’ve read by Toni Morrison, but her writing style really resonates with me. With any other author, I think the use of the Dick and Jane passage as a framing device would have come off as really ham fisted, but Morrison pulls it off. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Racism

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Pedophilia