Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

In an effort to hide his southern, working class roots, Macon Dead, an upper-class northern black businessman, tries to insulate his family from the danger and despair of the rank and file blacks with whom he shares the neighbourhood. The plan leads his son, "Milkman"--a named he earned after his mother nursed him well past the proper age--onto a path exactly opposite the one his father had hoped. Milkman is driven into the arms of a violent, lower-class woman, into a clandestine circle of blacks who repay white violence in kind and into an awareness that he can fulfil his own potential by understanding the mistakes of his ancestors as they relate to his own.

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple


A complex, magical exploration of African-American identity, 24 May 2002
First published in 1977 Song of Solomon was Morrison's most successful novel to date. In a way it is a bildungsroman about the development of a young man, Milkman Dead, but it also taps into cultural and family memory to explore the complexities of black identity. There is an element of a puzzle, as Milkman gradually uncovers his family past and the past of his culture. Morrison shows how for black people in America, family identity is closely connected to the wider culture and history of America. In travelling South Milkman casts off the trappings of one identity - middle class modernity - and delves into his roots and true legacy. Yet there is nothing simplistic in Morrison's view of black history and identity as we see in Milkman's discovery of his Native American side and the complex blending of modes of narrative and expression. Her work could never be described as narrowly "black" fiction or "women's" fiction. Set mainly in the 1960s, the novel explores the issue of assimilation into white middle class America but it doesn't set up essentialist oppositions of black vs white society. There is an acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of America, as well as an assertion of the right of oppressed peoples to a culture and history often denied them.
Morrison deals with these issues but at the same time the novel succeeds on a dramatic level, with superb characterisation and facsinating sub-plots. It is at times angry, moving and even funny - the scene where Milkman and his friend Guitar satirise white hypocrisy towards race could be a Richard Pryor routine.
The novel confirmed Morrison as a serious writer, one who innovates technically and addresses serious themes, while maintaining a masterful grasp on plot, dialogue and characterisation.

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple


A complex, magical exploration of African-American identity, 24 May 2002
First published in 1977 Song of Solomon was Morrison's most successful novel to date. In a way it is a bildungsroman about the development of a young man, Milkman Dead, but it also taps into cultural and family memory to explore the complexities of black identity. There is an element of a puzzle, as Milkman gradually uncovers his family past and the past of his culture. Morrison shows how for black people in America, family identity is closely connected to the wider culture and history of America. In travelling South Milkman casts off the trappings of one identity - middle class modernity - and delves into his roots and true legacy. Yet there is nothing simplistic in Morrison's view of black history and identity as we see in Milkman's discovery of his Native American side and the complex blending of modes of narrative and expression. Her work could never be described as narrowly "black" fiction or "women's" fiction. Set mainly in the 1960s, the novel explores the issue of assimilation into white middle class America but it doesn't set up essentialist oppositions of black vs white society. There is an acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of America, as well as an assertion of the right of oppressed peoples to a culture and history often denied them.
Morrison deals with these issues but at the same time the novel succeeds on a dramatic level, with superb characterisation and facsinating sub-plots. It is at times angry, moving and even funny - the scene where Milkman and his friend Guitar satirise white hypocrisy towards race could be a Richard Pryor routine.
The novel confirmed Morrison as a serious writer, one who innovates technically and addresses serious themes, while maintaining a masterful grasp on plot, dialogue and characterisation.

One woman's amazing journey written with poetic beauty, 03 Sep 1999
Reynolds Price is a genius with words. If you love language, you will love this book. I couldn't put it down. "A Long and Happy Life" is still my favorite but this is a close second.

Ugh., 02 Feb 1999
If you like reading about women who continually make decisions to royally mess up their lives, and about people who like to ruin others', this is for you. I'm sick of this genre of writing.

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple


A complex, magical exploration of African-American identity, 24 May 2002
First published in 1977 Song of Solomon was Morrison's most successful novel to date. In a way it is a bildungsroman about the development of a young man, Milkman Dead, but it also taps into cultural and family memory to explore the complexities of black identity. There is an element of a puzzle, as Milkman gradually uncovers his family past and the past of his culture. Morrison shows how for black people in America, family identity is closely connected to the wider culture and history of America. In travelling South Milkman casts off the trappings of one identity - middle class modernity - and delves into his roots and true legacy. Yet there is nothing simplistic in Morrison's view of black history and identity as we see in Milkman's discovery of his Native American side and the complex blending of modes of narrative and expression. Her work could never be described as narrowly "black" fiction or "women's" fiction. Set mainly in the 1960s, the novel explores the issue of assimilation into white middle class America but it doesn't set up essentialist oppositions of black vs white society. There is an acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of America, as well as an assertion of the right of oppressed peoples to a culture and history often denied them.
Morrison deals with these issues but at the same time the novel succeeds on a dramatic level, with superb characterisation and facsinating sub-plots. It is at times angry, moving and even funny - the scene where Milkman and his friend Guitar satirise white hypocrisy towards race could be a Richard Pryor routine.
The novel confirmed Morrison as a serious writer, one who innovates technically and addresses serious themes, while maintaining a masterful grasp on plot, dialogue and characterisation.

One woman's amazing journey written with poetic beauty, 03 Sep 1999
Reynolds Price is a genius with words. If you love language, you will love this book. I couldn't put it down. "A Long and Happy Life" is still my favorite but this is a close second.

Ugh., 02 Feb 1999
If you like reading about women who continually make decisions to royally mess up their lives, and about people who like to ruin others', this is for you. I'm sick of this genre of writing.

An insightful novel, focusing on interpersonal relationships, 02 Mar 1999
Bridge Boatner, a college student, enters the world of Juniper summer camp as a counselor. As the world seems to stop in the bubble of the camp, Bridge comes into contact with one very special person, one who belongs to a horrible past. Taking place before all of the modern evils of our society, such as free love, and the marajuana movement, it focuses on the relationship between a very talented boy and his fresh camp counselor. With a camp full of prepubescent boys, themes such as sexuality and religion play a deep part in the story line. However, the overwhelming theme is about Bridge, and whether or not he did for the boy, what he couldn't do for his father.

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple


A complex, magical exploration of African-American identity, 24 May 2002
First published in 1977 Song of Solomon was Morrison's most successful novel to date. In a way it is a bildungsroman about the development of a young man, Milkman Dead, but it also taps into cultural and family memory to explore the complexities of black identity. There is an element of a puzzle, as Milkman gradually uncovers his family past and the past of his culture. Morrison shows how for black people in America, family identity is closely connected to the wider culture and history of America. In travelling South Milkman casts off the trappings of one identity - middle class modernity - and delves into his roots and true legacy. Yet there is nothing simplistic in Morrison's view of black history and identity as we see in Milkman's discovery of his Native American side and the complex blending of modes of narrative and expression. Her work could never be described as narrowly "black" fiction or "women's" fiction. Set mainly in the 1960s, the novel explores the issue of assimilation into white middle class America but it doesn't set up essentialist oppositions of black vs white society. There is an acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of America, as well as an assertion of the right of oppressed peoples to a culture and history often denied them.
Morrison deals with these issues but at the same time the novel succeeds on a dramatic level, with superb characterisation and facsinating sub-plots. It is at times angry, moving and even funny - the scene where Milkman and his friend Guitar satirise white hypocrisy towards race could be a Richard Pryor routine.
The novel confirmed Morrison as a serious writer, one who innovates technically and addresses serious themes, while maintaining a masterful grasp on plot, dialogue and characterisation.

One woman's amazing journey written with poetic beauty, 03 Sep 1999
Reynolds Price is a genius with words. If you love language, you will love this book. I couldn't put it down. "A Long and Happy Life" is still my favorite but this is a close second.

Ugh., 02 Feb 1999
If you like reading about women who continually make decisions to royally mess up their lives, and about people who like to ruin others', this is for you. I'm sick of this genre of writing.

An insightful novel, focusing on interpersonal relationships, 02 Mar 1999
Bridge Boatner, a college student, enters the world of Juniper summer camp as a counselor. As the world seems to stop in the bubble of the camp, Bridge comes into contact with one very special person, one who belongs to a horrible past. Taking place before all of the modern evils of our society, such as free love, and the marajuana movement, it focuses on the relationship between a very talented boy and his fresh camp counselor. With a camp full of prepubescent boys, themes such as sexuality and religion play a deep part in the story line. However, the overwhelming theme is about Bridge, and whether or not he did for the boy, what he couldn't do for his father.

In the beginning..., 07 Sep 2003
Fine introductory novel to Price's 'A Great Circle' trilogy which follows three generations of the Mayfield family with lyrical prose, lucid dialogue and revelational letters.

If you like to be captivated by an epic, this is a little known gem this side of the Atlantic.

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple


A complex, magical exploration of African-American identity, 24 May 2002
First published in 1977 Song of Solomon was Morrison's most successful novel to date. In a way it is a bildungsroman about the development of a young man, Milkman Dead, but it also taps into cultural and family memory to explore the complexities of black identity. There is an element of a puzzle, as Milkman gradually uncovers his family past and the past of his culture. Morrison shows how for black people in America, family identity is closely connected to the wider culture and history of America. In travelling South Milkman casts off the trappings of one identity - middle class modernity - and delves into his roots and true legacy. Yet there is nothing simplistic in Morrison's view of black history and identity as we see in Milkman's discovery of his Native American side and the complex blending of modes of narrative and expression. Her work could never be described as narrowly "black" fiction or "women's" fiction. Set mainly in the 1960s, the novel explores the issue of assimilation into white middle class America but it doesn't set up essentialist oppositions of black vs white society. There is an acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of America, as well as an assertion of the right of oppressed peoples to a culture and history often denied them.
Morrison deals with these issues but at the same time the novel succeeds on a dramatic level, with superb characterisation and facsinating sub-plots. It is at times angry, moving and even funny - the scene where Milkman and his friend Guitar satirise white hypocrisy towards race could be a Richard Pryor routine.
The novel confirmed Morrison as a serious writer, one who innovates technically and addresses serious themes, while maintaining a masterful grasp on plot, dialogue and characterisation.

One woman's amazing journey written with poetic beauty, 03 Sep 1999
Reynolds Price is a genius with words. If you love language, you will love this book. I couldn't put it down. "A Long and Happy Life" is still my favorite but this is a close second.

Ugh., 02 Feb 1999
If you like reading about women who continually make decisions to royally mess up their lives, and about people who like to ruin others', this is for you. I'm sick of this genre of writing.

An insightful novel, focusing on interpersonal relationships, 02 Mar 1999
Bridge Boatner, a college student, enters the world of Juniper summer camp as a counselor. As the world seems to stop in the bubble of the camp, Bridge comes into contact with one very special person, one who belongs to a horrible past. Taking place before all of the modern evils of our society, such as free love, and the marajuana movement, it focuses on the relationship between a very talented boy and his fresh camp counselor. With a camp full of prepubescent boys, themes such as sexuality and religion play a deep part in the story line. However, the overwhelming theme is about Bridge, and whether or not he did for the boy, what he couldn't do for his father.

In the beginning..., 07 Sep 2003
Fine introductory novel to Price's 'A Great Circle' trilogy which follows three generations of the Mayfield family with lyrical prose, lucid dialogue and revelational letters.

If you like to be captivated by an epic, this is a little known gem this side of the Atlantic.

This is a stunning, difficult, rewarding book of poetry., 24 Aug 1999
For those who like Reynolds Price's prose, (and I count myself among them), be warned that the novels do not prepare one for the passion and depth of these poems. Some of the poems are religious; others are sexual, but almost all of them are startling in their intensity. I recommend this book with all my heart. But be aware that this book will require some work. Are you willing to buy a book that might well change your life?

Surprisingly good., 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a whim whilst looking for something to read on holiday. My only exposure to Mr Capote prior to this was the film 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' which I am not a particular fan of. I bought the book anyway and I am glad I did. This is short story writing of the highest calibre. Forthright, sometimes bordering on the corny (in a pleasing Americana way) and occasionally downright creepy (A Tree of night). The stories are presented in order of date from the 40's right up to the 70's and as such you are able to see the development of the author. Right from the start it is clear that here we have a rare talent. I really liked this and heartily recommend anyone to read it.


A Master Storyteller, 20 Dec 2007
Capote writes as if he invented the short story and knows all the secret ingredients to making one successful. Short stories are a notoriously difficult style to master, and yet the stories in this collection are written with the ease and grace of a genius. If you, like me, are easily distracted when it comes to reading and prefer things to be concise and to the point then look no furthur than this beautiful collection of short stories. Everything you want in a good story is there: humour, sadness, lucidity and melancholy, indeed, the very stuff of life itself. Beautifully written, sharply observed and original, this collection of short stories takes some beating. As an avid fan of short stories I have definately read my fair share and would go as far as to say that this is the best penned collection there is. I was hooked from start to finish. My particular favourites are 'House of Flowers' for its lush, lingering descriptions of the tropical scenery of Haiti and for its sweet (but not syrupy) depiction of first love. Others include 'Jug of Silver' for its affectionate small town wit and 'A Christmas Memory' for its depth of feeling and Capote's masterful delivery of prose, which characterises the rest of his writing. Definately worth a buy.

A must read, 26 Jul 2006
Beautiful collection. Loved every one of them . A must read for lovers of short stories.The Usurper and Other Stories, Runaway, The Lady with the Dog and other stories feature in my list of short story collections that are pleasurable to read.

A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


A literary gem, 15 May 2007
Not only does Toni Morrison write beautiful and engaging prose, she's also a genius when it comes to portraying social issues and evoking social consciousness in her books. Song of Solomon vividly portrays Afro-American life in North America from approximately the 1930's through the 1960's, but adding further depth to social issues and the consequences of hundreds of years of history.
The most striking about this book is in what I see as the major theme: the personal growth the protagonist, Milkman, undergoes when he sets out on a journey looking for riches, only to find riches that have nothing to do with the material. Instead of finding gold he finds his ancestry, his "people", who they were, where they went and why, and in doing so he is forced to make a choice about what type of man he will be: Will he turn away from his people and continue to seek personal gain and lead a detached life, or will he take responsibility for them and start showing some interest in his family, their 'strange' behavior, and his cultural heritage?
Song of Solomon is a book of the senses. The reader is confronted with the characters' thoughts, ideas, morals, dreams, smells, tastes, songs, and so on, making this a book on humanity with all its aspects on display. And though these confrontations are plentiful, Morrison manages to keep the storyline clear and comprehensible and you run no risk of getting confused in the human mesh. On the contrary, the book is an easy read and the story flows by with almost no effort at all.
The further you read into this book the more you learn that nothing is the product of chance. Every song, every thought, every action has its purpose, a purpose that lies deeper into one's history than one might be interested in knowing.


"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 12 Aug 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel develops impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, however, and the importance of being connected. Lyrical, richly descriptive, powerfully dramatic, and filled with symbols and motifs that connect Milkman in universal ways to the Bible and to the earliest epics, this is Toni Morrison at her best. Mary Whipple

"Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home.", 22 May 2006
Filled with imagery and symbolism from the Bible, this magisterial novel also draws on the epic tradition, tracing the roots of four generations of an African-American family as they fight a series of battles--against the legacy of slavery and racism, the loss of cultural values and roots, the trauma of injustice, and the self-centeredness resulting from economic success. For all its elegance of development and seriousness of purpose, however, this 1977 novel by Toni Morrison is decidedly earthy, filled with unusual characters and exciting, often sensuous, stories about a family descended from Solomon, a freed slave who, according to legend, flew on his own wings back to Africa, leaving his wife and twenty-one children behind.

The male protagonist, Milkman Dead, is the arrogant son of a wealthy slumlord. His aunt Pilate, a poor woman whose life is filled with love, is so vibrant a contrast and so dominating a force in the family, however, that she becomes the fulcrum upon which the action turns. Milkman's selfishness vs. Pilate's compassion, his desire to escape from the family vs. her need to remember its stories and its past, his love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude toward women vs. her generosity of spirit ("If I'd-a knowed more people, I'd-a loved more," she says)--parallel the tensions which seize every generation of this family.

The novel unfolds impressionistically, not chronologically, as stories about characters from four generations unfold, seemingly at random. The relationships of all these characters, along with the time line in which they live, evolve only gradually. When Milkman's father, Macon Dead, Jr., tells him the story about how he, accompanied by his sister Pilate, killed a man in a cave and then discovered many bags of the man's gold, Milkman begins the journey which will lead to his discovery of who he is and what gives real meaning to life. In an effort to find the missing gold, he travels to the farm where earlier generations of the family lived, discovering, in the process, the missing links in the family's chain of past memories.

Racism is a pervading theme, from the flight of Solomon to the execution of Macon Dead on his own land, and, in the 1960s, the formation of The Seven Days, a vigilante group that kills whites in direct proportion to the number of blacks killed and left unavenged. The novel is primarily about an arrogant young man's self-discovery, how