Hey friends, first, I need to apologize for being really inconsistent as of late, especially when it comes to the digest posts - I just have had a ton on my plate, both professionally with the new book (preorder now!) and personally. I’m hoping to get more consistent, though I’m still committed to trying to stick to one or two free posts and one subscriber-only post a week, which I think will be a good balance overall.
Actually looking forward to this, I think. I tried Jazz in my early 20s. I was sampling the Great Writers and heavily into jazz so it seemed a natural pick. Was ambivalent enough that I never tried any more of her work. There were some short runs of writing here and there that I really appreciated it, but I didn’t like it as a whole, had to force myself to finish it.
Fab. It's on my list to read, I already have it, and now I'll be made to read it. Perfect.
Me, I have only read Tar Baby, and liked it a lot. Then I got Sula, tried reading it on a train, and there was something early on in it that made me horrified and cry in public, and didn't seem to be referred to again in the next chapter or two and I abandoned it. Maaaaayyyyybe I'll give it another whirl, this was maybe 30 years ago.
But it reminds me of that movie by Miranda July, the second one, The Future, where a couple is going to adopt a high-needs cat, then -- OK, I'll just say that I took my stepdaughter to it, we walked out after it was over, and she said, "I ONLY cared about the cat."
I also love The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon. Beloved though is transcendent. I think sometimes books taught in school are often not the author's best work. The Blind Assassin > A Handmaid's Tail. A Swiftly Tilting Planet > A Wrinkle in Time. But reading Beloved as a junior in high school honors English is something I'll never forget. I reread a few months ago and it stands up, completely, even after all of the hype. I am super curious about what you make of it! I literally can't name a single flaw in that book.
I'm very excited for you to read Beloved. I picked it up a few months ago on an old recommendation from a friend, unaware of any reputation to precede it, and I'm glad I did. I love that book from the bottom of my heart, and I've been wary of picking up another of Morrison's books for fear I would feel let down by it after Beloved. But now I feel like Sula would be good to try, based on this post.
I am really looking forward to this! I used to teach Sula to my juniors and have always loved it. I read Beloved many years ago, but not with the careful attention it deserves. So thank you for this opportunity!
the first, I was about 20yo and it was the first book that befuddled me on page one; my first experience with 'huh?' as a hook.
the second time was after watching oprah's film adaptation. there was something I wanted to clarify and went back to my book and ended up so engaged with the text that I stayed up the rest of the night and finished it (!)
so ya, I'm really looking forward to this bookclub.
Looking forward to hearing your first impressions.
Actually looking forward to this, I think. I tried Jazz in my early 20s. I was sampling the Great Writers and heavily into jazz so it seemed a natural pick. Was ambivalent enough that I never tried any more of her work. There were some short runs of writing here and there that I really appreciated it, but I didn’t like it as a whole, had to force myself to finish it.
Fab. It's on my list to read, I already have it, and now I'll be made to read it. Perfect.
Me, I have only read Tar Baby, and liked it a lot. Then I got Sula, tried reading it on a train, and there was something early on in it that made me horrified and cry in public, and didn't seem to be referred to again in the next chapter or two and I abandoned it. Maaaaayyyyybe I'll give it another whirl, this was maybe 30 years ago.
But it reminds me of that movie by Miranda July, the second one, The Future, where a couple is going to adopt a high-needs cat, then -- OK, I'll just say that I took my stepdaughter to it, we walked out after it was over, and she said, "I ONLY cared about the cat."
I also love The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon. Beloved though is transcendent. I think sometimes books taught in school are often not the author's best work. The Blind Assassin > A Handmaid's Tail. A Swiftly Tilting Planet > A Wrinkle in Time. But reading Beloved as a junior in high school honors English is something I'll never forget. I reread a few months ago and it stands up, completely, even after all of the hype. I am super curious about what you make of it! I literally can't name a single flaw in that book.
I also love Sula. Some of the most beautiful prose written
I don’t know if you follow John Pistelli’s Substack (Grand Hotel Abyss) but his now-dormant podcast has a great episode on Morrison in general and Beloved in particular (he shares your enthusiasm for Sula). https://open.substack.com/pub/grandhotelabyss/p/ep-16-body-politic?r=qowxp&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I'm very excited for you to read Beloved. I picked it up a few months ago on an old recommendation from a friend, unaware of any reputation to precede it, and I'm glad I did. I love that book from the bottom of my heart, and I've been wary of picking up another of Morrison's books for fear I would feel let down by it after Beloved. But now I feel like Sula would be good to try, based on this post.
Yay! I wasn't the most consistent participator but I'm happy to have the book club back. I love reading everyone's comments.
Beloved is the real deal.
I am really looking forward to this! I used to teach Sula to my juniors and have always loved it. I read Beloved many years ago, but not with the careful attention it deserves. So thank you for this opportunity!
this will be my 3rd read.
the first, I was about 20yo and it was the first book that befuddled me on page one; my first experience with 'huh?' as a hook.
the second time was after watching oprah's film adaptation. there was something I wanted to clarify and went back to my book and ended up so engaged with the text that I stayed up the rest of the night and finished it (!)
so ya, I'm really looking forward to this bookclub.
Perfect, I own this, read it maybe ten years ago and remember almost nothing. Sign me up and I'll try finish Don Quixote in the next 8 days .