The Bluest Eye (Vintage International)
by Toni Morrison
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Book Summary Information
Author: Toni MorrisonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-08
ISBN: 0307278441
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of The Bluest Eye (Vintage International)
Book Review: Interesting but incomplete
Summary: 3 Stars
The Bluest Eye is about race relations and, as such, can never be completely understandable to a non-American such as me. It revolves around a simple and very sad story of rape, incest and the victimisation of a little girl in 1940s America. It is told from the point of view of blacks - this was before the term African-American - and partly in another child's voice. The little girl thinks herself ugly and envies the looks of blue-eyed whites. That a black child could consider herself physically inferior was a real shock to me, and for considering this only, the book is worth reading. One wonders how much this has changed in the last four decades.
There is a broader subject, however, which is the psychological impact and destructive power of models of beauty, especially feminine beauty. This, unfortunately, is only alluded to and could have been addressed in far more depth. The book also lacks the victim's own voice. Because it is told in chronological disorder and from different protagonists' angles, the story tends to be less strongly felt. At times it almost reads like a documentary. Perhaps this is for the best, since some scenes might have been unbearable if told by the central character herself. Still, while interesting and often revealing, this book too often gave me the impression of being unfinished.
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