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Lisa (NY)'s Reviews > Sula
Sula
by
by
Lisa (NY)'s review
bookshelves: audiobook, re-read, 2020-favorites, classics-20th-century
Jan 30, 2020
bookshelves: audiobook, re-read, 2020-favorites, classics-20th-century
The cover flap of Sula describes it as a novel about a friendship between two women. The friendship between Sula and Nel, (starting when they are young girls) is the center of this intense novel, but there are so many other intertwined layers. Morrison has created a portrait of several strong women who survive, with no help from men, in a Black Ohio neighborhood from 1919 to 1965. The men are mostly weak, philandering, drunk or mentally ill.
Each chapter is an eloquent masterpiece, encapsulating a period of time and the essence of Helene, Eva, Hannah, Nel or Sula. I listened to almost the entire novel, then picked up the print version and started from the beginning. As much as I like Toni Morrison's velvety voice, her reading was hard to follow at times. This novel could be read again and again and again. Every sentence is a gold mine. A dazzling, rich work of art.
Each chapter is an eloquent masterpiece, encapsulating a period of time and the essence of Helene, Eva, Hannah, Nel or Sula. I listened to almost the entire novel, then picked up the print version and started from the beginning. As much as I like Toni Morrison's velvety voice, her reading was hard to follow at times. This novel could be read again and again and again. Every sentence is a gold mine. A dazzling, rich work of art.
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Reading Progress
January 28, 2020
–
Started Reading
January 28, 2020
– Shelved
January 28, 2020
– Shelved as:
audiobook
January 28, 2020
– Shelved as:
re-read
January 30, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020-favorites
January 30, 2020
–
Finished Reading
September 5, 2021
– Shelved as:
classics-20th-century
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Judy
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 30, 2020 10:07AM
So glad you loved this book as much as I did!
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Hi Lisa. I have read a couple of her books. She is wicked smart.
david wrote: "Hi Lisa. I have read a couple of her books. She is wicked smart." Agree!
Judy wrote: "So glad you loved this book as much as I did!" I have to go back now and re-read "The Bluest Eye."
What a great review, Lisa! I love her writing, too. Can't wait to read more TM in 2020 and will add Sula to my list.
Kelly wrote: "What a great review, Lisa! I love her writing, too. Can't wait to read more TM in 2020 and will add Sula to my list." Thanks Kelly - if you love her writing, then Sula will be a treat!
An inspiring review Lisa ......... I’m looking forward to my first Toni Morrison novel.
Awesome review Lisa!!💞💗😉💋
Lisa, I really like your review of Sula! I couldn’t agree more when you say that each chapter is a masterpiece, and this novel can be read multiple times. I think that Toni Morrison’s writing style and voice are so beautiful too! Did you like reading the novel or listening to it better? Further, I agree with you when you say that friendship “is the center of the intense novel.” I think that it is important to realize that Sula and Nel have a special relationship. In order to support one another, it was beneficial to have this close of a relationship with someone you could count on during this time period. It was hard to form close relationships because of the harsh racial tensions present. During their relationship, Sula and Nel lean upon each other, and they share their feelings and thoughts. They find something in each other to complete themselves. In other words, Sula needs Nel, and Nel needs Sula. They are meant to be with each other from the very start at a young age, and most people think that a traditional perception of friendship starts at a young age and develops over time. However, Sula and Nel’s friendship didn’t need a lifetime to develop and was immediate.
Kellyn wrote: "Lisa, I really like your review of Sula! I couldn’t agree more when you say that each chapter is a masterpiece, and this novel can be read multiple times. I think that Toni Morrison’s writing style..." Kellyn, I'm so glad that you found the experience of reading this novel excellent also.
Great review!! Sula reminded me of so much of Augustown. I believe I may have read them out of order. I wonder how I would have rated if I had read Sula first.
Monica wrote: "Great review!! Sula reminded me of so much of Augustown. I believe I may have read them out of order. I wonder if I would have rated if I had read Sula first."Monica, I read Augustown two years ago and loved it but until you mentioned it, didn't think of the comparison.
Lisa wrote: "Monica, I read Augustown last year and loved it but until you mentioned it, didn't think of the comparison."It was clear to me after reading Sula that it was an influence for Miller. I think both were brilliant. Miller blew me away whereas when I read Sula, I felt like I'd been there before. Themes more than plot.
Great review Lisa. I always feel like I have to brace myself to read Morrison's work but you make this one sound a bit more accessible.
