3.07.2012

Sula by Toni Morrison


Sula never competed; she simply helped other define themselves.

It's been awhile since I've read a Morrison novel. In college I was required to read The Bluest Eye and Beloved for two different classes and while I liked them both a lot, I haven't picked anything else of hers up until now. It only took twenty pages or for me to remember how fantastic Toni Morrison really is. Maybe because Sula was the first Morrison novel I've read on my own, or maybe because the first two were for class and those sometimes go under appreciated, but I had a tiny Toni Morrison awakening. She is really amazing. At times her prose is like poetry and there are so many layers woven throughout the novel its underlying meaning is something you'll think about long after finishing it.


Sula is the story of two women and the forces that bring them together and later break them apart. On the surface Sula and Nel are juxtapositions of one another; Sula is wild and unconventional (with an ironic last name of Peace), while Nel is virtuous and restrained. However, as the story progresses these roles don't seem so clearly defined. Distinctions of character and morality itself are blurred over time, changing shape to suggest nothing is ever set in stone and things aren't always what they appear. The theme of ambiguity is examined throughout the novel through a number of different characters. Sula also explores the complexities of what it means to be a black women in America. It is a study of female friendships, especially black female friendships; their evolution and growth, what their absence implies, and just how important they are in terms of providing a sense of safeness and relief.
So when they met... they felt the ease and comfort in old friends. Because each had discovered years before that they were neither white nor male, and that all freedom and triumph was forbidden to the them, they had set about creating something else to be.
In Sula, we see that the relationships between women are essential to achieving a sense of completeness in life; Morrison implies sharing feelings and emotions among women works to awaken and define oneself. Moreover, Morrison continually criticizes male/female relationships throughout the novel, suggesting men cannot be a friend or a "comrade," at least to a woman. For Sula and Nel being black and female created a barrier, limiting them further in life but, at the same time, bringing them together to forge their own path.

I look forward to reading more Morrison. She isn't the easiest writer to read, but she's definitely worth the effort. Next on my wishlist is Song of Solomon. If you haven't read anything of hers, I'd like to direct you to Book Riot's Toni Morrison reading pathway

Publisher: Penguin Group, 1982

19 comments:

  1. I am ashamed to admit that I've never read Morrison. I have Beloved on my shelf but have been so intimidated. Some of the themes here are similar to Audre Lorde's work, which I highly suggest, if you haven't looked into already. It's really interesting to see a title that explores female relationships in this way because it's so rarely examined on this level. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. Don't start with Beloved. It's very complex. I heard The Bluest Eye is the best entry door.

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    2. Yeah that's what the reading pathway on Book Riot says as well. It says start with The Bluest Eye (which is where I started with Morrison) and then move to Paradise, then Beloved.

      Beth you've recommended Lorde before and I still haven't read anything of hers. It sounds like I really should.

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    3. Ben & Brenna, Noted and noted. I'll let you know how it goes.

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  2. I love this book, and it was actually one of three texts I used for my MA thesis, which revolved around motherhood.

    It's absolutely one of my favorites, and there are so many places in it I love.

    Song of Solomon is an amazing read as well and one I wouldn't mind re-reading. Ah, Morrison. Love her books. She's one of the few writers whose descriptions, while evocative, don't go overboard.

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    1. Oh there is a lot to dissect with the theme of motherhood in this one. Some brutal stuff.

      Glad to hear you loved Song of Solomon. That seems to be a lot of people's favorite Morrison book.

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  3. Great review. I've only read two of Morrison's novels - Paradise for a college class, and then a reread last year, and Beloved - and I'm a little ashamed to not have read more. I've been jealously following the read through all of Morrison's works over at the book lady's blog; it's something I'd love to do, if only I had access to a library or bookstore with her works. Morrison's prose is so dense and layered; like you write, her prose is at times so much like poetry, and I think it deserves being read on paper.

    What I'd like to do is take a seminar focused on Morrison's fiction. Rereading Paradise, I'm not sure if I came any closer to understanding it than I did the first time around. But being surrounded by other people reading Morrison, having discussions guided by someone who knows their shit when it comes to her work, would I think ease the reading experience. It's one of the reasons I like rebecca's project - it seems like such a great way to get people talking about Morrison, and how to find your way through her work.

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    1. Thanks Ellen! I haven't read Paradise but I feel like it's an essential Morrison I should read at some point. I'd love to read all of her works in a row but I don't think I could handle the emotional roller coaster. Morrison novels all seem to be pretty heavy.

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  4. Great great review. and I love your point about relationships between women being a way for a woman to be complete. Really wonderfully put.

    I haven't read Song of Solomon in a long time, but I remember it was my favorite Morrison book. Can't wait to see your thoughts on that one.

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    1. Thanks Allie. What else of Morrison's have you read? I'm definitely interested in reading Song of Solomon and Paradise, but beyond that I'm not sure what other works of hers stand out. Love? Tar Baby? A Mercy?

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    2. I took a class on Morrison in college so ended up reading The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon, Beloved, Jazz, Paradise and Love. I remember really liking Song of Solomon and Paradise (so good choices) and I would also recommend Jazz. And by the way, I don't recommend reading a bunch of Morrison at once you'll get very emotionally fatigued. I did anyway.

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    3. Wow you've read quite a bit of Morrison! Thanks for the recommendations, you were certainly the right person to ask :)

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  5. Sadly, I've not read any Toni Morrison. I've had The Bluest Eye on my wishlist for a while, but after reading your review I think I want to read this one first....

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    1. No you should start with The Bluest Eye! Really you should. It's her novel with the easiest plot to follow.

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  6. I would heartily recommend Song of Solomon and even go so far as to call it a strong contender for the title of The Great American Novel. There is no one novel that could embody the spirit and soul of America but I can't think of one (other than Ellison's Invisible Man) that truly speaks to the epic legacy of "otherness" felt by African Americans in post-slavery culture. I loved, loved, loved this book.

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  7. I always say I'm going to read more Morrison, and yet I never do! I read 'Beloved' in college and loved it. It was crude (without it being explicit), touching and just very beautiful.
    I think I just found the next Morrison book to read :)
    Great review- and awesome link (some very fun and interesting articles!)

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    1. Beloved was quite powerful. I hope you enjoy Sula!

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  8. Toni Morrison is my favourite writer (after Marilynne Robinson), but actually Song of Solomon was my least favourite (still fab though). My favourites were The Bluest Eye, Paradise and Beloved. Enjoy! I wish I could read them again for the first time!

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