Their Eyes Were Watching God

This is my first time reading Zora Neale Hurston’s book their eyes were watching god, and I read this book like I was watching a movie. I experienced a roller coaster of emotions. In between chapters I had so many thoughts about womanhood, I got to do a lot self reflection, and wonder about love. I was pleasantly surprised with Jeanie’s ability to know herself more than she gave herself credit for. I was proud of her fearlessness and resilience. I sometimes worried about the choices she made only for Zora to make me realize that I too have put my thinking in a box of thinking I knew what was best for Jeanie and how women should behave, and also having some mistrust in men. I was delighted that Jeanie found love, and heartbroken that it didn’t last forever but I felt the satisfaction that Jeanie had so much appreciation for what she got to endure. I believe it’s truly remarkable writing, I just didn’t want to put it down!

Beautiful story! I appreciate the dialogue the most in this, as many books often fail to tap into the dialect of the people especially in this time period of the south. I always felt like I was in the room.

A must read

4.5

I absolutely love this book. We get to see the dilemmas the protagonist, Janie, has to deal with in order to reach happiness for herself. Zora Neale Hurston is a great story teller and the story of Janie and Tea Cake is heart warming and heart wrenching.