A book that was left behind by a neighbour. Had it not been for this fortuitous
find, I would have probably read Song of
Solomon or Jazz before reading Beloved.
For once, I don’t quite know what to say about this book, as I have the
feeling that, being a white European, all my comments would be out of place.
But let’s try anyway (after all, if Spike Lee allowed himself to presumptuously
direct an awful movie about the Italian Resistance, I can write a few lousy
lines on a book about slavery, after my little disclaimer).
Beloved is undoubtedly very touching, but, as has been
happening for years with me, I have my problems with magical realism. To put it
simply, I just want realism, in particular when what is being described is a
reality that I’m not familiar with. I’m probably too set in my ways and
analytical, but I want to know who Beloved actually is (I want Sethe to believe
she is her daughter, but I want an omniscient narrator telling me where she’s
actually coming from), more details about the schoolteacher, and a clearer
description of Paul D’s long walk.
I am really glad I’ve read this book, I just don’t think I’ve made the
most it.
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