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deberad24's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mjtal's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
maia_papaya's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Racism, and Ableism
ivostarr's review
4.0
This is Hurston's last published novel. It is also the novel that gets the least critical attention because it does not fit comfortably within the feminist or African American literary traditions. This is the most experimental of her novels. In her letters, we learn that Hurston was trying to say something about the state of marriage American society. The novel's heroine, Arvay Henson, is a challenge to readers. I think Hurston struggled to identify with her as well, which makes her occasional ambivalence towards Arvay disconcerting due to what happens to this character in the novel. None-the-less, it deserves a read as I believe Hurston weaves a close connection between this novel, and her most famous--Their Eyes Were Watching God.
misspalah's review
4.0
“She didn’t belong where she was, that was it. Jim was a Meserve. Angeline was a Meserve. Kenny was a Meserve, but as far as they concerned, she was still a Henson. Sort of a Handmaiden around the house. She had married a Meserve but She was not one of them. A handmaiden like Hagar who found favor in the master’s sight. They didn’t have to count her when anything important was to be done. Just go right and ignore her”.
- Seraph on the Suwanee by Zora Neale Hurston.
.
.
Any relationship that started with Rape will never be romantic to me regardless of the guy already redeemed himself at the end of the story, it is still HELL-TO-THE-NO to me. Consent, motherfucker, do you understand it? Okay, enough ranting - lets get back to the story - The story took place in the rural area in Florida. We followed the main character, Arvay Henson , a southern white girl whose apparently according to everyone has passed her marriage age (which at that time, she barely turned 21). Arvay Henson is deeply in love with his brother in law but decided to just keep it down because she knew it will never be realised. Then, Jim Meserve appeared in the story in all his glory, charmed almost all girls in the small town but he decided to make Arvay his wife. While Arvay agreed to the marriage, Jim felt that Arvay is too distant and felt it is too risky to wait until wedding to make Arvay his wife. Just like how a classic patriarchal and misogynistic value always love to oppress women, his friend indirectly hinted that Jim should just use force because at the end of the day, the woman will love it. I am not gonna lie, my blood boiled few times reading this book. It has nothing to with Zora’s writing - it’s just my feminist ass couldn’t take an entitled man depiction in the plot ; not in the book and never in real life. So the rape happened and just like that, Arvay and Jim proceeded with the marriage. Given the time setting of the storyline, Arvay might felt relieved that Jim still married her at the end, so she served him as best as she can l, like a housewife are expected to be back then. They have 3 Kids - Earl, Angie and Kenny from their marriage. There’s no progression or any turn of events for the plot. We can only see Arvay’s helplessness in dealing with a very flawed relationship with her husband. I must say Earl is the only connection that Arvay felt as somewhat an extension of herself but that has been cut off when Earl died. Overall, the book is engaging from start to finish but i just found it is very problematic to read about relationship that started with RAPE. While this is my first novel of Hurston, i think i should pick up her famous novel ‘Their eyes were watching god’ and make a comparison because many people liken this novel with it.
- Seraph on the Suwanee by Zora Neale Hurston.
.
.
Any relationship that started with Rape will never be romantic to me regardless of the guy already redeemed himself at the end of the story, it is still HELL-TO-THE-NO to me. Consent, motherfucker, do you understand it? Okay, enough ranting - lets get back to the story - The story took place in the rural area in Florida. We followed the main character, Arvay Henson , a southern white girl whose apparently according to everyone has passed her marriage age (which at that time, she barely turned 21). Arvay Henson is deeply in love with his brother in law but decided to just keep it down because she knew it will never be realised. Then, Jim Meserve appeared in the story in all his glory, charmed almost all girls in the small town but he decided to make Arvay his wife. While Arvay agreed to the marriage, Jim felt that Arvay is too distant and felt it is too risky to wait until wedding to make Arvay his wife. Just like how a classic patriarchal and misogynistic value always love to oppress women, his friend indirectly hinted that Jim should just use force because at the end of the day, the woman will love it. I am not gonna lie, my blood boiled few times reading this book. It has nothing to with Zora’s writing - it’s just my feminist ass couldn’t take an entitled man depiction in the plot ; not in the book and never in real life. So the rape happened and just like that, Arvay and Jim proceeded with the marriage. Given the time setting of the storyline, Arvay might felt relieved that Jim still married her at the end, so she served him as best as she can l, like a housewife are expected to be back then. They have 3 Kids - Earl, Angie and Kenny from their marriage. There’s no progression or any turn of events for the plot. We can only see Arvay’s helplessness in dealing with a very flawed relationship with her husband. I must say Earl is the only connection that Arvay felt as somewhat an extension of herself but that has been cut off when Earl died. Overall, the book is engaging from start to finish but i just found it is very problematic to read about relationship that started with RAPE. While this is my first novel of Hurston, i think i should pick up her famous novel ‘Their eyes were watching god’ and make a comparison because many people liken this novel with it.
courts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.0
clairmaily's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
spiderfly's review against another edition
4.0
May 29, 2008
For the life if me I can't figure out what it is that keeps drawing me back to this book. I was craving reading it so badly this month, so Bob bought it for me for Mother's day. I'm sure I'll be back to it again.
Oct 14, 2007
Finished second reading. Still as enjoyable second time around.
Oct 9, 2007
It's not as good as Their Eyes Were Watching God, but still a great read. I just finished it last week and am already part-way through a second reading.
For the life if me I can't figure out what it is that keeps drawing me back to this book. I was craving reading it so badly this month, so Bob bought it for me for Mother's day. I'm sure I'll be back to it again.
Oct 14, 2007
Finished second reading. Still as enjoyable second time around.
Oct 9, 2007
It's not as good as Their Eyes Were Watching God, but still a great read. I just finished it last week and am already part-way through a second reading.
emily_mai's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The book explores sexuality, intimacy and communication between genders. I didn’t love where the plot went sometimes, but every turn felt realistic and believable. Very well written, felt easy and enjoyable to read but the content was still nuanced. Really cool experience reading this after Gone with The Wind. Some super similar themes but different perspectives—would highly recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
megannewsome's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you're like me and not usually drawn to "love stories," especially ones with antiquated gender roles and such, please trust in Hurston's skill with a pen. The first ~30 pages had me pretty skeptical as I was so bored with Arvay's damsel nature, and certainly annoyed with Jim's brutishness. It's bad enough to read about a man doing sexist things but it's really frustrating when the woman embraces many aspects of sexism, putting herself down, as well. But sure enough I was pulled in. I realized the tale being told, the growth for which they were set up, and the power in the ways that their attitudes *don't* change by the end of the book. Not to mention all the other characters and tales along the way. A really captivating read that, personally, made me feel closer to my home of Florida just as "Their Eyes Were Watching God" did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Rape