I'm no author so I certainly cannot put into words the effect this book has had on me other than to say it has been profound. I studied this book in college and admittedly at first found it a little challenging to navigate but once I understood the layout of the book, it was beautifully heart-breaking. There is a reason its a Pulitzer Prize novel. The themes of slavery, disfunction in a 'freed-world', ghosts, trauma and humanity have stayed with me throughout my adolescence. It's not for the faint of heart, it is brutal but I also believe it's an important perspective to gain.

Heartbreaking read

This book was so utterly beautifully written and sad. I was very moved throughout and couldn't put the book down. Also, left me in tears at the end but with sincere hope and faith, hopefully for all of mankind. Shall be definitely ordering and reading all Toni Morrison's other novels.

This novel was utterly captivating from the first page, and Morrison maintains a sense of mystery and suspense that kept me hooked throughout. It was one of the most deeply unnerving novels I think I’ve read. When you read the authors’ foreward, and also consider that this book was inspired by a true story, it makes it all the more harrowing. Morrison’s writing whilst beautifully poetic, adopted a dark and sinister tone to tell the story of unimaginable atrocities, and reflect on themes of trauma, loss, duty, morality and love. There were sections that I felt were left more open for interpretation that I had to read, re-read and reflect on to make sense of, which personally, I enjoyed, but it did stop the flow a little. Toni Morrison’s writing is like nothing I’ve seen before, and isn’t the easiest read, but is stylistic brilliance! I can’t believe it has taken me so long to discover her writing, but I am excited that I have, and cannot wait to read more.