Joanne Harris, anyone? Toni Morrison?

Beloved is one that I resisted reading. I had heard it's boring, intellectual, and uncomfortably PC--the type of book people pretend to like in order to impress others.

It's really not that at all. It's an entertaining story very much worth reading.

Funny anecdote about Beloved. It's one of those books people try hard to understand. In the copy I got from the library some a-hole had written notes in it.

Morrison keeps mentioning that the young male characters "fucked cattle," and in the margins the note-taker wrote, "Why does she keep referring to people as cattle?"

*Slaps forehead*

Sometimes we try too hard!

I love Harris. There's just this richness to her writing that's awesome (I think it must be the food aspect and the French setting, lol). Anyway, of the three books you've mentioned I've only read two Five Quarters of the Orange and Chocolat and I can honestly say I loved both *will not say anything more that is spoilery*

I've only read Chocolat and I got a real sense of sadness from it. I still enjoyed it, and it's just my interpretation, but I found it very melancholic. I'd be interested if anyone felt the same. I saw the film first, which is very cheerful and I was surprised by the book. I keep a look out in charity shops for her other books.

I can't help you with Toni Morrison, though. I've never read her.

If I ever meet Toni Morrison,I will completely embarrass myself by shrieking and fainting at her feet. Beloved is one of my favorites and so is The Bluest Eye. Ms. Morrison just takes you on a journey and she goes deep every time. Real,raw and powerful emotions leaps from the page to your soul. She will always be one of my favorite authors.

My favourite Harris book is Blackberry Wine.

scarletpeaches said:

My favourite Harris book is Blackberry Wine.

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Mine too. I liked Chocolat but I adored Blackberry Wine. Joanne Harris did very well capturing the mood of the late 70's; every time Jay recalled something from his childhood I felt like I knew him, that he'd been to my school or lived on my estate. Must read that again soon.

My favourite is either Coastliners or The Lollipop Shoes -- the theme of identity in this one just amazed me (Oh hang on, I think that this IS The Girl With No Shadow. Except being Australian I didn't recognise it by its USian title). I haven't read Blackberry Wine yet -- and though I love the seventies I'm not likely to be able to reminisce (born in the nineties, lol) -- so maybe that would be a favourite if I did read it.

have to agree with backslashbaby that tar baby is one of morrison's 'weaker' novels. that said, morrison's weak stuff would be powerful if it weren't held up to the rest of her work. beloved confused me the first time i read it--i was young and not a mother then. i read it 5 yrs and 1 baby later and have loved it ever since. morrison's work is so layered with meaning. i aspire to that kind of writing. some of her work that i love: the bluest eye, paradise and a mercy. the only work of hers i haven't read yet is love--and only because i gave it to my friend in NZ because i knew it hadn't been released there yet.