Review: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Title: The Bluest Eye
Author: Morrison, Toni
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Fiction
Publisher / Year: Vintage International / 1970
Source: A going out of business sale at Borders.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: Our August read for Year of Feminist Classics.
Date Read: 22/08/12
This book completely blew me away – why have I waited so long to read anything by Toni Morrison?? I know many have studied this or other works by her in school, but we didn’t in any course that I took and I am a bit disappointed by that. I can only imagine what amazing discussions this work, and her others if they are anything like it, would generate.
This story is that of Pecola Breedlove, a young African-American child growing up in a small American town and feeling distinctly unloved and beat upon from all sides. In her mind, what would make her loved is to have blue eyes, and this is her only wish. The book is told mainly from the point of view of various people in the town, allowing us to see the make-up and feel of the town and the people who inhabited it as well as how people viewed her. How they viewed her, however, often was almost a side note, although fully explained. You could see why some people were harsh without intending to, or too downtrodden themselves to see other options.
Morrison brings up so many great discussions of the beauty ideals and myths of whiteness. The young girls learned that to show (fake or real? both) love or affection was safer than to show hatred. They saw how their mothers and aunts praised the white children and learned from that. The young men learned to take out aggression where they could – which usually meant at those less fortunate rather than those causing the grief and pain.
Through the book Morrison explores issues of race and class in incredible ways that leave you thinking about our culture for long after you’ve turned the last page. What she shows is how people as a collective owe others a certain amount of decency, and how much effect our unthinking actions can have on others. None of us live in a vacuum and Morrison reminds us of this by showing how actions and opinions ripple down to affect those most at risk.
Highly recommended, and I look forward to reading more by Morrison very soon.
I’ve heard so much about Morrison’s work but have never read it. This sounds like an important, thought provoking book.
I was in the same situation until reading this one Kathy and now am wondering what took me so long. I recommend you pick her up!
I read this many years ago but it really touched me and made me realize that books that make me think and make me feel are the books I most want to read. Beautiful review.
That’s awesome Care! Those are the best kind for sure
Amy, The Bluest Eye is a great book and I was deeply affected by it after reading it. You’ve summarised the various themes of the book very effectlvely here. I did a review of it on my blog: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/review-the-bluest-eye-by-toni-morrison/.
Thanks so much for linking to your review readinpleasure – off to read it now!
I read some Toni Morrison years ago (can’t recall which one, although I don’t think it was this) and couldn’t finish it. Have never tried it since, but on the strength of your recommendation I’m putting The Bluest Eye on my TBR wish list. Thanks for the great review!
Sorry to hear you didn’t have as much luck with her Debbie! Hopefully if you do give this one a try you enjoy it more.
Have not as yet fully read anything by Morrison. I remember having to start Beloved only to abandon it later on. Maybe, this book should be the starting point for me. Lovely review.
I highly recommend it Geosi, I think you would enjoy it.
I also read this book in the last few years. i found it an eye opening read and would have welcomed discussion about it at that time. It left me sad to think that this does reflect the thoughts and actions of real people> Thanks for sharing your thoughts> will add a link to my earlier review>
Glad to hear you were impacted by this book as well Heather. I am really glad I read it as part of the Feminist Classics project because it gives a bit more discussion
So glad you have finally found Morrison. The Bluest Eye is an all-time favorite of mine. Melissa Harris-Perry has a fine discussion of it in Sister Citizen. I’d suggest Sula and her latest, Home, as good ones to read next, but all are very good. I read and reviewed Home recently.
I can see why it’s a favourite for you mdbrady! Such a powerful read. I picked up Jazz and Playing in the Dark, all her other books are on my wish list though! And Sister Citizen is still on my shelf, I really need to read it now.
It’s been so many years since I read this that I remember virtually nothing
That makes me a bit sad and I’m going to have to make an effort to re-read this and her other work soon!
Isn’t it fantastic when you discover a new author? Even if she isn’t new to the world, she is new to YOU
Definitely a great book to re-read, so powerful! And yes, LOVE finding a new author, especially when there is so much to read through
She’s an amazing writer, isn’t she? Thanks for reminding me that I also need to read more of her stuff asap.
So fantastic Ana!
Isn’t it a lovely, heartbreaking book? The Shirley Temple glass part of it broke me a bit. And honestly, this is my least favorite TM, so you’ve got more great stuff in store. One chapter of my thesis was on Sula – so it bears a soft spot in my heart. It’s also got fascinating themes of motherhood and the feminine and how powerful both can be.
Yes, the whole Shirley Temple part was crazy. And wow, your least favourite!?!? I’ve got some great things coming up, how lucky am I to still have them all to read! Looking forward to reading more
Toni Morrison is amazing! Seriously, her writing is just too good to be true. I’m glad you read this one and got a taste of her work. Definitely check out her other writings – they are equally worthy of 5/5 ratings – I promise! Don’t you love it when you discover a new writer and their book just blows you away – it is the BEST feeling ever!
I do love that Nadia, always incredible! I have two others already to read, and will definitely be searching out the rest of her works
I haven’t read any Toni Morrison yet, but Sula is waiting patiently on my shelf for the day I finally decide to read it. The Bluest Eye sounds fantastic, and I’m really looking forward to exploring Morrison’s writing!
I hope you love her works as much as I did Leah!
I have heard a fair amount of this book but have not read it. It sounds fantastic. You wrote “What she shows is how people as a collective owe others a certain amount of decency, and how much effect our unthinking actions can have on others.” Maybe it is just a feeling, but at least in America lately it seems as if we have been moving away from that ethos on many levels. From the way entertainers and political pundits act on television down to the way people drive, so many people seem to have lost these notions. I should read this soon and so should a lot of other people.
Yes, we really do seem to be caring less and less about how we affect others through our smallest actions Brian, you’re so right. It’s sad, and I love that we have people like Morrison to remind us
Morrison writes such unique and powerful stories! Glad you enjoyed this.
Thanks Trisha!
Great review – Tony Morrison is always amazing to read. Beloved is a good one to pick up next. It’s a bit ‘heavier’ than the Bluest Eye but also beautifully written.
Thanks so much for the recommendation Sel. While I don’t have that one yet, I will certainly be getting to it soon!
I read Beloved when I was in high school, and it was quite dark and really disturbed me. I think this would have been a better first book to read by Toni Morrison! I’ll give it a go.
I’m really looking forward to Beloved, Sarah, but I think I’m glad I started with The Bluest Eye too
I haven’t read any book by Morrison yet. And I know I am missing something for sure. I have one of her books on my shelf and am hoping to make that my first read. I’ve heard that Morrison raises very thoughtful questions in her books.
Which do you have on your shelf Athira? I hope you enjoy it!
I have Morrison’s A Mercy on my shelf. Have you read that one?
I haven’t yet nope. This is still my only read by her.