Sula by Toni Morrison Book Review

[@juliekuvakos8924]

I love your review and thoughts! I specifically appreciate where you are coming from with regards to empathy for Sula. Morrison writes with so many gut wrenching scenes and conversations that I find them hard to sift through once done.

[@juliekuvakos8924]

I should also add she’s just an author for me where I just shut up and let her tell me.

[@mecourtneyg]

Thanks so much for commenting! Toni definitely makes you want to go back and reread. I know that’s how I felt after reading Song of Solomon. A book that I still need to reread because I know I did not process enough. What was interesting about Sula was that I was prepared to hate her initially. What kind of woman sleeps with her best friend?? But when she explained why she did it, it was not malicious or out of jealousy. And when people began to act better as a response to Sula’s behavior, I was like oh this woman has a power that no one is really able to process in the novel. I am so glad I waited until my 40s to begin reading Morrison. I would not have appreciated her characters in my 20s.

[@connieholmes4853]

I am a woman in her early 40’s and I’ve only read Beloved 😞 so I am finishing The Bluest Eyes and I am like what have I been reading all of my life? This book was written in such a beautiful way.😍🥰

[@mecourtneyg]

Right!! I’m glad I waited until my 40s to finally start reading Toni. I definitely would not have appreciated in my 20s. Toni’s novels are meant to be honored and processed on a certain level. At least we eventually woke up. 😉

[@sherellewallace5873]

I haven't read this book, but will one day. I know that HURT PEOPLE, HURT PEOPLE; but if my husband had sex with my best friend, that would be two people out of my life FOREVER! Also, as this is fiction, but not fantasy or horror, etc....I wonder how "realistic" ( wrong term) it is that the town would change so drastically because of Sula's actions. I know small towns living in a 400 community, and dare I critique the TONI MORRISON. But as I have never actually seen an interview on her work, I wonder about her thought process and what reaction she hopes to invoke in her readers. Would have to read the novel first, also to understand Nell taking the child's death so lightly. And one day let's have a conversation about black women having sex with white men; how that has changed since the 30's and 40's. Enjoyed your review; hope it reaches many people, cause I think you could convince people to read more!

[@mecourtneyg]

Thank you so much for the comment!! You go into the book thinking it’s either a situation of hurt people hurt people, but when Toni explains Sula’s thought pattern and the closeness of Nel and Sula’s relationship, you begin to understand differently. I purposely did not want to go into detail about this because I wanted folks to enjoy the revelation as they read. Toni also explains the town’s peoples motives for being better people around Sula. I put my spin on it because someone who can do that in my world vibrates high even if some of her behavior may state otherwise. Yes, we must discuss the evolution of black women having sex with white men. It was amazing to me that out of all of the stuff Sula did, that one action made her evil. I encourage you to watch some of Toni’s interview where she explains her thought process and the thought process of her characters. I believe she does a wonder job of portraying what was in the minds of blacks in the time periods of the book. I love how she allows for them to be authentically angry, but if you weren’t paying attention you might just miss it. I always enjoy responding to your comments. I need you to read Sula so we can discuss!

[@JloveLamar]

Thank you for the review! I hope you are well, and I hope you enjoy Song of Solomon ;)

[@mecourtneyg]

I hope all is well with you too! I’m about halfway through Song of Solomon and so enjoying it! Toni NEVA disappoints.

[@mercwindow]

I know it probably wasn't Toni Morrison's intention because she writes her novels without "the white gaze" but I couldn't help juxtaposing Sula her self as the bad black person who makes the town perceive itself as the good white people and pillars of the community who go to Church and that absolves them of their bad behaviour and justify their judgment. That is how white communities view black. Sula Hanna and Eva as versions of the individual black deadly nightshade against the towns bunches of good blackberries. It's only on a rereading of the introduction that I realise how important that description in the introduction is. The end is Nels coming of age. Her reckoning. The last deadly nightshade making her realise what it cost her to leave Sula to rejoin the blackberry bunch she was groomed to be.

[@mecourtneyg]

I read your comment on Sunday, took a few days to think about it, and reread it just now. I can definitely see that. The town’s people attitude/behavior towards Sula and Eva was definitely similar to those of the good/pure white people who go to Church to have God forgive them of their sins while still being justifiably racist in the name of the Lord. The town’s people moved around as such without ever being capable or willing to truly self reflect. I loved how Sula hit Nel with that truth serum on her death bed.

[@mercwindow]

Me Courtney G. Exactly!!! It made them feel better about themselves knowing they could put someone else on the rung beneath them so they didn't have to take responsibility to judge themselves. and society en masse would be In cahoots and that is exactly how racism Works. What's more do everything in your power to keep them down there for fear of retribution. The conspiracy of the herd to marginalise the "different"

[@mercwindow]

Me Courtney G. The book then describes the different and how they are free and how they choose and how they survive. Hence Shadrack for instance. I keep coming back to those berries

[@mecourtneyg]

@@mercwindow So sorry for the delay! This is exactly how racism works. Put people down, place them below you and in your mind make them appear to be less than human (in the eyes of the law as well) so that deplorable behavior can continue to be justified.

[@mecourtneyg]

@@mercwindow I need to reread Sula this summer. I want to reread Song of Solomon as well. I read the first half of the book fast which was a terrible idea. Toni’s novels are meant for us to become intimate with; each page needs to be digested patiently.