Beloved

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc: 1987.

Annotation
This book observes and tells a traumatic tale about a family that deals with slavery and the barriers needed to step up and away from it.


Nomination for Recommendation
Sethe is a mother who carries many burdens. Even though she did what she thought was best, her past continues to come back and reveal itself. Being a woman who was embedded into a family of slavery, she wishes to make her way out. Morrison paints very detailed pictures in the reader's head to help see the pain Sethe went through as her family was left behind. The books starts with Sethe in a house with a new life and new growth. It's just her and daughter, and she couldn't ask for more. But more comes. As the cycle of life continues so does the truth. Two more characters show up, Paul D and Beloved, and it takes time to see what each character represents. Morrison gives momentarily flashbacks as the plot thickens, and then ends with a compelling resolution that softens the tough blow for the reader. No matter what you have seen or where you have been, this book takes you to a place where you continually look for an escape. Sometimes the quickest route isn't the best.

Genre: Postmodernism/ Contemporary Literature