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Song of Solomon

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'Song of Solomon' by Toni Morrison is a beautifully written novel that follows the life of Milkman Dead, a young man on a journey of self-discovery while navigating different cultures. The book delves into the past, present, and future of an extended family whose ancestors were slaves, exploring themes of race, identity, and belonging. With a fully realized black world, the novel introduces a cast of complex characters and weaves a bold coming-of-age story threaded with a deep understanding of black culture.

The plot of 'Song of Solomon' revolves around Milkman's quest for self-awareness, symbolized by his continuous efforts to fly, mirroring a man's vain attempt to do the same at Milkman's birth. The narrative is multi-layered, with rich character development and intricate relationships that provide insights into the human experience, while the writing style is described as lyrical, daring, and experimental, capturing the complexities of interactions between race, gender, and class without being didactic.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, with Milkman representing a journey of growth, while others like Pilate and Guitar embody different aspects of identity and struggle within the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical and poetic language, rich imagery, and magical realism, creating a complex narrative that weaves together family history and identity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Milkman's journey of self-discovery and his family's complex history, exploring themes of identity, racism, and the impact of wealth.

Setting:

The setting spans a fictional Northern town in Michigan, with important locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia that relate to the family's history, providing a backdrop for cultural exploration.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow but accelerates as the plot develops, particularly as Milkman's journey unfolds, leading to a climactic finish.
The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance agent promised to fly from Mercy to the other side of Lake Superior at three o’clock. Two days before the event was to take place he tacked a note on the door ...

Notes:

The novel features a character named Milkman Dead, who is the son of Ruth and Macon Dead, and explores his journey of self-discovery.
Names are a significant theme, reflecting the transformation and history of African Americans, such as Macon Dead's family.
Macon Dead III, commonly known as Milkman, is nicknamed due to his extended breastfeeding, which lasts until he is five years old.
The story incorporates elements of magical realism, like the legend of Milkman's great-grandfather, Solomon, who is said to have flown back to Africa.
Pilate Dead, Milkman's aunt, is a key character, known for her strength, uniqueness, and a missing navel that adds depth to her character.
The novel connects with biblical themes, as many character names, including Milkman and his sisters, hold significant biblical allusions such as First Corinthians and Magdalene.
The narrative style includes a blend of rich symbolism and lyrical prose, making it deeply evocative and poetically nuanced.
Morrison's own experience with her father's death influenced the novel's focus on male characters and their relationships.
The plot centers around Milkman's quest to learn about his family's past, shaking off materialism and seeking identity and roots.
Exploring racism and the African American experience, the book reflects on social issues present even decades after its writing.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of racism, violence, and emotional distress, including familial dysfunction and mental health issues.

Has Romance?

There are romantic elements, especially in Milkman's relationships, but they often lead to heartache and unreciprocated feelings.

From The Publisher:

An official Oprah Winfrey's "The Books That Help Me Through" selection

With this brilliantly imagined New York Times bestselling novel, Toni Morrison transfigures the coming-of-age story as audaciously as Saul Bellow or Gabriel García Márquez.

Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. As Morrison follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family's origins, she introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized Black world.

Ratings (21)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (5)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (62):

Read It (23)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (37)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Loved It
3 months

it's toni morrison's nobel prize winning novel, but i didn't give it five stars....

because i like

beloved better

is this an incredible novel about finding your history in the context of black americans, and all the self-hatred and striving for better things that involves? yes

should every american read everything morrison has written because we are incredibly ignorant about the history of african americans? yes

but i still liked

beloved better

 

About the Author:

TONI MORRISON is the author of eleven novels, from The Bluest Eye (1970) to God Help the Child (2015). She received the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and in 1993 she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. She…

 
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