Helpful Score: 7
Your heart will ache for Janie as she struggles through life and husband after husband and tragedy after tragedy. As a woman, I felt for her, wanted to reach through the pages and help her out, pull her to me and hug her. You'll feel the same way when you read it - Hurston makes sure of it. Excellent, *real* writing.
Helpful Score: 6
This book is one of the very best books that I have ever read. I first read it in high school. I still pick it up again every now and then just to read my favorite parts. If you saw the movie and didn't read the book - READ THE BOOK! The movie did not do this book justice at all. Hurston's writing is so poetic, so symbolic . . . A truly careful reader will savor every word of this wonderful masterpiece.
Helpful Score: 5
Powerful prose from a fantastic writer. I never bothered to see the movie because her descriptions created a vivid painting in my mind that no director could recreate. Historically, it's an important book, as well as a wonderful read.
Helpful Score: 3
I don't know why PBS is calling this a teen novel. This is fine American literature. This novel was written in the 30s and "rediscovered" by Alice Walker years later. It was Walker's dedication that helped get this novel re-printed and added to the curriculum of many English programs. Don't miss this outstanding novel.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best books I have read; I have gotten a hold of this books some years ago; I believe it was someone else's, and I got to the point where she was about to marry the first husband, and for years, I had to find out what happened to this woman, and somehow, I got my hands on a copy of the book and read it through; You cannot help but want the book for yourself; It's a bit hard due to the dialect, but you can relate to Janie's struggle to be herself; I watched the movie and enjoyed it; And had to put a review here for this book; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
