R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 9/25/2011 + 1438 more book reviews

What a read! Morrison's characters are so realistic that I feel as if I know them. Maybe they live next door or down the block. I did not live during this time nor among slavers or slaves but I deeply appreciate Morrison's detailed descriptions of how people treated those they enslaved. It hurts the heart to realize all the inhuman ways people were treated. I understand but find it hard to internalize. Sethe is a strong, strong woman whose life has been turned upside down by both black and white people. The whites hurt her so deeply that she killed one of her children to protect the child from her future. The blacks were appalled that she would kill one of her own. Black women were viewed not just as workers but as breeders whose task was to bear more slaves thereby increasing the wealth of the owner. Their children were often from different fathers and they lost them before they could see them grow up. It took Paul D to help Sethe recover from all the hurt both whites and blacks inflicted upon her as well as the guilt she felt for the death of the child she loved. Yes, this is a great read!

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