Toni Morrison's Sula (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations) Review
Despite its similarities to Morrison's other novels, Sula is a powerful novel that deals with the themes of good versus evil, family, friendship and racism in a poor community. In Sula, Morrison is able to portray good and evil in a not so "black and white" way. Her complicated friendships and relationships leave the readers questioning who was right and who was wrong. Morrison's ability to develop such vivid and lively characters allows her to develop clear and powerful themes throughout the novel
Toni Morrison's Sula (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations) Overview
Morrison's rich tale of two women who grow estranged.
The title, Toni Morrison’s Sula, part of Chelsea House Publishers’ Modern Critical Interpretations series, presents the most important 20th-century criticism on Toni Morrison’s Sula through extracts of critical essays by well-known literary critics. This collection of criticism also features a short biography on Toni Morrison, a chronology of the author’s life, and an introductory essay written by Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities, Yale University.
Toni Morrison's Sula (Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations) Specifications
Toni Morrison's highly acclaimed novel Sula is as gripping on audiotape as it is on paper. The Nobel Prize-winning writer narrates the unabridged version of the book in a rich, soothing voice that mesmerizes listeners with its relaxed and methodical cadence. Sula revolves around the relationship between two little girls growing up in a poor, black neighborhood nestled high in the hilltops. "The Bottom," as the barrio came to be known, is brimming with eccentric residents but sadly deprived of human warmth. (The town actually takes pride in celebrating National Suicide Day.) However, out of this bitter, abrasive environment grows a beautiful friendship between Sula and Nel. Their shared secrets and dreams blossom through childhood, but their special bond suffers after the two separate. Sula leaves the Bottom to conquer the unknown cities of America, while Nel becomes a homebody, settling down as a wife and mother. When Sula returns to her hometown, she feels like a stranger; she repels everyone, even the only true friend she ever knew. Morrison's vocal range evokes an extraordinary atmosphere of survival in a harsh and unforgiving world. (Four cassettes; running time: aprox. four hours)
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Customer Reviews
Beautiful prose, but the message was lost on me - doc peterson - Portland, Oregon USA
_Sula_ was difficult to read. Not because of any uncomfortable issues or themes that were brought up, nor because the writing was poor or the plot was contrived (or too convoluted.) Rather, I found it difficult because I am at a loss to understand what Morrison wanted to communicate to readers. Set in a small town in Ohio between 1919 and 1965, Morrison relates the story of two African-American women and their experiences growing up and the consequences of the decisions they made: either remaining in "The Bottoms" or leaving town. At the risk of spoiling the story, the "prodigal daughter" returns a pariah, her contributions to the tiny community lost on the residents.
This said, there are remakable insights into this tiny African-American community. In commenting on the inhabitants of the Bottoms, Morrison writes, "What was taken by outsiders to be slackness, slovenliness or even generosity was in fact a full recognition of the legitimacy of forces other than good ones. They did not believe doctors could heal - for them, none ever had done so. They did not believe death was accidental - life might be, but death was deliberate. They did not believe Nature was ever askew - only inconvenient. Plague and drought were "natural" as springtime. If milk could curdle, God knows robins could fall. The purpose of evil was to survive it and they determined (without ever knowing they had made up their minds to do it) to survive floods, white people, tubercliosis, famine and ignorance." The title character, remarking on the small-mindedness of Bottom residents says, "... I don't know what the fuss is all about. I mean, everything in the world loves you. White men love you. They spend so much time worrying about your penis they forget their own. ... And if that ain't love and respect, I don't know what is. And white women? They chase you all to every corner of the earth, feel for you under every bed. ...Now ain't that love? ... Colored women worry themselves into bad health just tryng to hang on to your cuffs. Even little children - white and black, boys and girls - spend all their childhood eating their hearts out 'cause they think you don't love them. And if that ain't enough, you love yourselves. Nothing in this world loves a black man more than another black man. You hear of solitary white men, but (black men)? Can't stay away from one another a whole day. So. It looks to me like you the envy of the world."
I love Morrison's prose. Her command of language and metaphor is among the foremost of American authors. In fact, its just this delicious language that for me, salvaged the book. A similar story told less lyrically would have earned my scorn and derision. As it stands, then, _Sulla_ is merely average. Certainly not as emotionally powerful as Beloved (Paperback), but every bit as beautifully written.
Toni Morrison Fans will Love - Rosie Tomyn - Puyallup, WA USA
This is really touching - but sometimes depressing. If you love Toni Morrison, you will love this book!
Keep Reading - T. Fowler -
It is a bit difficult to get into at the beginning. However, if you keep reading it gets very good, and you will be amazed at the ending. Toni Morrison is a very talented author.
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