[identity profile] lyras.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] 50books_poc
3 - Beloved by Toni Morrison

Somehow in my thirty-four years, I have carelessly failed to read Toni Morrison. I was lucky to have a fabulous introduction to her writing, via the audiobook of Beloved, read by Morrison herself. There is nothing like hearing the words exactly as they were intended to be read. This book blew me away, and I'm prepared to put at least some of that down to her wonderful reading.

The thing I really liked was the circuitous narrative, in which hints that are dropped near the beginning gradually build to tumultuous revelations in the second half of the story. I listened to several sections with my heart in my mouth ('scuse the cliché). Some of it read like poetry, and I loved the way the various monologues, the stories that the characters wanted to tell, sometimes vied for attention.

It's the kind of book that takes over your mind; as I went about my daily life, part of my mind was always thinking of Sephe and her experiences, or wondering what Paul D went through after he left Sweet Home, or picturing Denver playing with Beloved.

Audiobook at audible.co.uk and audible.com (the contrasting opinions of reviewers regarding Morrison's reading abilities are fascinating, too).

4 - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Funny and sad by turns - and perhaps made even sadder by the humour that the narrator uses to deal with some of the horrific things that happen to him. This is the pointed story of a Spokane Indian who decides that he wants to do something with his life - and that means going to a school outside the reservation on which he lives.

His challenges include health problems, a goofy appearance, accusations of being a traitor, dysfunctional and addict family and friends, lack of money, and the various forms of racism he encounters outside the reservation.

Junior/Arnold deals with things by drawing cartoons, which are reproduced in the book via the art of Ellen Forney. These illustrations are a brilliant addition - the artist has really captured the spirit of the book, IMO.

The book is enjoyable, but the author also has a point to make, and boy, did it hit home with me. I'll be reading more of Alexie's writing.

ETA: I also wanted to mention the BBC's World Book Club podcast, in which authors are interviewed and then answer audience questions about one of their books. Recent authors include Toni Morrison (yay!), Chinua Achebe, Mohsin Hamed and Alice Walker, all of whom should be of interest to watchers of this community.

Date: 2009-03-27 02:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rosehiptea.livejournal.com
Beloved is definitely one of the best books I've ever read, for the reasons you've stated: the narrative, the way some reads like poetry.

I also enjoyed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. It just seemed to deal with so much human emotion and human fate.

Date: 2009-03-27 04:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fungus-files.livejournal.com
I love Toni Morrison's work, and was introduced to her through The Bluest Eye in a women's studies 101-type course in undergrad. I've read all her novels. They're all harrowing in their own ways but Beloved really got to me. It's a book that's never left my mind, and I could never read it again (but was glad I did once).

Really want to read the Sherman Alexie one, now!

Date: 2009-03-27 01:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kethlenda.livejournal.com
Oh, I loved Beloved so much. I read it about ten years ago when the movie came out. Didn't even see the movie! I just got intrigued by the plot summary and decided that the book would be better than the movie and read it instead of watching it.

Date: 2009-03-27 09:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ms-erupt.livejournal.com
I was thinking of picking up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian from the school library soon, as I remember really enjoying The Lone Ranger and Tonto FistFight in Heaven, and I love the film version of Smoke Signals.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book.

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