Song of Solomon: A Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An official Oprah Winfrey’s “The Books That Help Me Through” selection • The acclaimed Nobel Prize winner transfigures the coming-of-age story with this brilliantly imagined novel. Includes a new foreword by the author.
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. As Morrison follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family’s origins, she introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized Black world.
“Morrison moves easily in and out of the lives and thoughts of her characters, luxuriating in the diversity of circumstances and personality, and revelling in the sound of their voices and of her own, which echoes and elaborates theirs.” —The New Yorker
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. As Morrison follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family’s origins, she introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized Black world.
“Morrison moves easily in and out of the lives and thoughts of her characters, luxuriating in the diversity of circumstances and personality, and revelling in the sound of their voices and of her own, which echoes and elaborates theirs.” —The New Yorker
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Readers say *Song of Solomon* is a richly written novel with complex, memorable characters and deep themes that challenge readers. Many praise Toni Mo...
The book starts out strong; really capturing your attention. There were some laugh-out-loud moments as well. I became invested in the story and in the characters, as their individual subplots were tying in together nicely.
[Cons:] However, the ending seemed rushed, as if her editor was saying, "I need those pages now!" The more interesting subplots are not explored or explained at all, while others that I felt could have been left out completed were dragged out. The ending goes completely left. It doesn't even read as if the same person wrote it. I would not recommend this book only because the last 1/4 of it is not cohesive. It's like reading the beginning of one book and the ending of a completely different book. Also, not one of my favorite authors, so you may want to take that into consideration as well.
Truly a great read! Discusses the experiences and trauma of the black family through the eyes of it's main character Macon Dead. If you think your family has issues, this book is a must read!
A book that makes me want to read everything Toni Morrison ever wrote. Every sentence is like poetry.
I could appreciate this for its spectacular writing and characters, but it was a heavy read. I knew this would be the case, and I pushed myself out of my current comfort zone for the challenge. I'm happy I did, but it was hard. I've been struggling with more serious books when I used to enjoy the contemplation they brought. At least I can finally cross this exceptional classic off my list.
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