tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post3318774895619828666..comments2023-12-20T05:59:21.610-05:00Comments on Black-Eyed Susan's: A Reader's Response & Invitationsusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-65654122327580544302010-01-02T12:53:16.589-05:002010-01-02T12:53:16.589-05:00Jodie,
I often don't feel very knowledgeable ...Jodie,<br /><br />I often don't feel very knowledgeable about books I read including black literature. My solution is to be clear that I'm not offering an expert opinion but my reaction to a work as I perceive it.<br /><br />And we need to give each other permission to get it wrong. Literature is more that what's right to begin with. It's about exploration. If someone misses a susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-42110832966267436012010-01-02T12:47:00.113-05:002010-01-02T12:47:00.113-05:00I find I remember so little about The Bluest Eye, ...I find I remember so little about The Bluest Eye, mostly I remember that part where Morrison talks about what kind of prostitutes the women working in the town are not - that rocked because she takes this knife to the kind of literary portrayals prostitutes have been dogged with (the whore with a heart for example) that keeps people from really seeing them as people. I'm really a 'BelovedJodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462660276240016464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-4161503876562362202009-12-31T10:37:50.888-05:002009-12-31T10:37:50.888-05:00Sula and The Bluest Eye are my favorite books by T...Sula and The Bluest Eye are my favorite books by Toni Morrison. Hampton Players (at Hampton University) recently did the play of The Bluest Eye and it was awesome. I read these two books at least once a year. I love Toni Morrison's writing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06169464858603777262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-48143264296651229962009-12-27T13:01:44.293-05:002009-12-27T13:01:44.293-05:00Thanks, Evelyn.
I'll check out the link. Appr...Thanks, Evelyn.<br /><br />I'll check out the link. Appreciate you commenting.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-78847881863707519902009-12-27T12:59:42.342-05:002009-12-27T12:59:42.342-05:00The Bluest Eye is easily my favorite Toni Morrison...The Bluest Eye is easily my favorite Toni Morrison book, partially because I didn't have to reread it so many times to understand it. *smile*<br /><br />I liked the themes she addressed in the book (that you already mentioned), how she divided the book into seasons, her descriptions, the poetic way she uses words...and even the parts where she mentions Jane, "See Jane. She has a red evelyn.n.alfredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08171703688316482928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-60895777368214175882009-12-26T22:08:13.427-05:002009-12-26T22:08:13.427-05:00I rather found it amusing how you referred to me a...I rather found it amusing how you referred to me as a poc. Because quite frankly, I've never thought of myself that way. In fact, I remember when I first found out about Color Online, I had to go Google the definition of 'people of colour'. =)<br /><br />Like you, I like the questions provoked by good books. I was definitely exposed to a whole new perspective, reading this book. It&#Michelle (su[shu])https://www.blogger.com/profile/18223337726831731472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-43587748930750392732009-12-26T21:40:23.284-05:002009-12-26T21:40:23.284-05:00Hi talshannon,
I enjoy Twitter but I don't fi...Hi talshannon,<br /><br />I enjoy Twitter but I don't find it to be the best platform for an extended discussion. It requires being available at the moment and knowing the discussion is happening.<br /><br />Call me old school. I miss when we had message board communities (Am I dating myself with that reference?. That platform allowed for a permanent record and any reader/participant could susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-22854004602474439162009-12-26T21:33:40.078-05:002009-12-26T21:33:40.078-05:00I love having book discussions, too, though I most...I love having book discussions, too, though I mostly use Twitter to do it. I'll tweet a comment while I'm reading, and others who have read or are reading the same book ending up replying with their own thoughts and a conversation evolves from there. I highly recommend trying it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-56304204242739651372009-12-26T21:29:38.564-05:002009-12-26T21:29:38.564-05:00Oh, I meant to add, that what I love about a good ...Oh, I meant to add, that what I love about a good read are the questions, the exchanges, being challenged to examine or consider things I hadn't before.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-35624511788501683492009-12-26T21:28:10.450-05:002009-12-26T21:28:10.450-05:00Hi Michelle,
I chose your review because it was t...Hi Michelle,<br /><br />I chose your review because it was the most recent one I read, but one concern was that some would think this was about a particular review which it isn't. I also understood that being from Malaysia you didn't grow up with the history of race like I did. Funny no one mentioned that you are a poc commenting on a poc book. I was wondering if anyone was going to raisesusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-5582213579010767962009-12-26T21:19:34.190-05:002009-12-26T21:19:34.190-05:00I definitely see your point. That's the thing ...I definitely see your point. That's the thing about blogging, isn't it? Do people always write (or type) what they really felt about the book, or are they actually just putting down a generic response?<br /><br />I find that a lot of books leave me with more questions than actual ideas or answers. Like with <i>The Bluest Eye</i>, I kept having the same question play around in my head Michelle (su[shu])https://www.blogger.com/profile/18223337726831731472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-80309192003790360682009-12-26T21:02:21.876-05:002009-12-26T21:02:21.876-05:00Hi Vasilly,
I've known about Fried Tomatoes b...Hi Vasilly,<br /><br />I've known about Fried Tomatoes but I never got around to reading it. Oh, the good hair business, a weight so many black women continue to carry around. I am glad I don't have that burden. I'm nappy and proud.<br /><br />All books don't affect me either, Amy. I can't imagine though when a book deals with complex issues that we aren't affected on somesusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-88667920361655751882009-12-26T20:44:05.292-05:002009-12-26T20:44:05.292-05:00Reading your post is reminding why so many blogger...Reading your post is reminding why so many bloggers have been posting their blogging resolutions for next year. I think we all want to document our experiences with what we've read more than anything else. <br /><br />I read The Bluest Eye many years ago before I started blogging and I remember that last scene so vividly. I felt so much outrage over Pecola. Pecola reminds me of the little Vasillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08463689838763126048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-65034655441669946392009-12-26T20:36:28.530-05:002009-12-26T20:36:28.530-05:00You raise such a fascinating point. I know that n...You raise such a fascinating point. I know that not all books affect me, but when they do, I hope I can share why. I haven't read The Bluest Eye, but I do understand the longing to continue to talk about and go deeper with certain books.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02515314638093018928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-24466763478522712192009-12-26T15:27:03.046-05:002009-12-26T15:27:03.046-05:00Thanks, Jessie. That's saying something.Thanks, Jessie. That's saying something.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-52940586042653915402009-12-26T15:13:32.537-05:002009-12-26T15:13:32.537-05:00If I don't write a review right after I have r...If I don't write a review right after I have read the book, I often find it difficult to go back and really engage unless I re-read the whole book but with so much new I want to read, I don't often take the time to do so.<br /><br />I read "The Bluest Eye" when I was a sophomore in college. It was assigned as part of a class where the teacher picked about 6 books that were all Jessie Cartyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181286764480973423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-53818363176046131962009-12-26T11:22:08.650-05:002009-12-26T11:22:08.650-05:00J. Kaye,
Struggle? You're talking to a woman w...J. Kaye,<br />Struggle? You're talking to a woman who probably publishes the least number of reviews but always has an opinion. It does take effort and a certain skill to not sound generic. <br /><br />I think most of us should cut ourselves some slack. Worry less about sounding brilliant and speak more off the cuff. I think we underestimate the impact of sharing how we feel.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-5939526281406267792009-12-26T11:08:31.811-05:002009-12-26T11:08:31.811-05:00Susan, I get that, but not everyone can express th...Susan, I get that, but not everyone can express themselves in words. I've been doing this for close to three years now and still struggle with this over and over again. How many ways can you tell someone a book left you breathless without sounding generic? Of course, this might be me and I am the only player who consistently fumbles the ball. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-85210852779214513862009-12-26T10:59:12.221-05:002009-12-26T10:59:12.221-05:00Hi J.Kaye,
It's not the length that leaves me...Hi J.Kaye,<br /><br />It's not the length that leaves me wanting more, it's the absence of intimacy, vulnerability. I'm looking for a reviewer to tell me something more than what I can glean from the jacket cover.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-64832046424443647762009-12-26T10:32:29.655-05:002009-12-26T10:32:29.655-05:00I totally agree about "...your review reads m...I totally agree about "...your review reads more like a polite courtesy than a gut response..." I'd like to see more emotion in my reviews. That said, my reviews have a tendency to remain short...sometimes very short. The reason is I am ADD. I won't read lengthy reviews or posts. It has to be short and to the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-40299855343732979152009-12-26T09:57:18.378-05:002009-12-26T09:57:18.378-05:00Morning Jill,
Thanks. Do you vaguely remember The...Morning Jill,<br /><br />Thanks. Do you vaguely remember <i>The Bluest Eye</i>? I confess it's the only Morrison Book I've gotten through. I own several.Color Onlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15062017327837729986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-44267744510858179852009-12-26T09:45:44.246-05:002009-12-26T09:45:44.246-05:00I haven't read Morrison for a long time, and s...I haven't read Morrison for a long time, and so would have to go back and reread to make any intelligent comments (or even dumb comments). But aside from that, I love what you're saying here and think you make terrific points. In fact, I am printing this out and keeping it in front of me so I can think about doing this more!rhapsodyinbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-87249419607702317532009-12-26T08:45:24.048-05:002009-12-26T08:45:24.048-05:00Eva,
What are you doing in here? I don't know ...Eva,<br />What are you doing in here? I don't know anyone who reads the volume of books that you do and while your reviews are short, they are also concise and engaging. You don't short shrift, you introduce your readers to more books than most of us can ever read. I sing your praises, what, every week? :-)<br /><br />I might leave out the citation. I don't want reviewers feeling susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400455429821166661.post-61765421604942047192009-12-26T04:15:45.912-05:002009-12-26T04:15:45.912-05:00My problem is that I read so many books, I have to...My problem is that I read so many books, I have to discuss most of them in my TSS. And then I only have a paragraph to devote to them, and I don't really have space to quote authors or dive into issues as extensively as usual.<br /><br />So that with most of the books I read, whether poc or white authors, I feel I give them short shrift. I'm hoping next year, I feel more healthy and Evahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703372903532502944noreply@blogger.com