Reviews

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

knuckledown's review

3.0

I was greatly looking forward to reading this because, oddly, Oprah said it was her favorite love story. It certainly is a story about love, but not always in the traditional sense. Janie learns all about the ways in which love can disappoint before she meets Tea Cake, who becomes her true love and third husband. For me, the story never truly took flight until Tea Cake, and he didn't show up until page 77 of the 159-page book.

At first all this book showed me was how annoying it can be to read dialogue written entirely in dialect. It also served as an odd contradiction to the beautifully poetic narration. My reaction to this book reminded me of A Separate Peace. I didn't always feel myself enjoying it as I read, yet I still plowed through the sad ending as if transfixed. I am glad that I read the story of Janie and Tea Cake, but I could have done without the stories of everyone else in her life.

issianne's review against another edition

3.0

I don't have much to say except that I can see why people love this book but I just couldn't get into it. The dialogue was almost impossible for me to read, and I tried so hard. I liked Janie, but her character didn't resonate with me as I can tell she does for others. I did enjoy the uptick in plot at the end--added drama to a pretty slow moving story.

kikipetit's review

challenging dark inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

10501's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

An important book in the canon, but not one that I particularly enjoyed. Janie & Tea Cake wasn’t a great combo (imo). 

tsegenet's review

emotional 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

5.0

curlykew's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.25

lowemal's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

excuseme_mam's review

5.0

This is one of the most moving books I have ever read. It is slow to start, but the ending is phenomenally written.

bozzi1's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

bexpaxton's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

probably the saddest ive felt after finishing a book. this is the first time in a long time ive cried at a book. 
god. the prose in this book. if you think the title is good you ve got a big storm coming (literally- too soon?)
there is no way you can help falling in love with these characters and wanting their relationship to last forever. just everything about this book is amazing. everyone should read this book it is an underated modern classic.
thank you for the gift that is this book. i am going to go out and live a life as full as this one.