false 77212 0060916508 9780060916503 2212 142 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170899990m/77212.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77212.Their_Eyes_Were_Watching_God 15151 Zora Neale Hurston 31892 2345 1 11 false Fri Jul 27 11:36:21 -0700 2007 Thu Dec 17 02:26:11 -0800 2009
I read this book when I was a junior in college in an American Lit class. I was looking forward to reading it when I saw it on my book list and read the back cover. I enjoy the writings of Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, so I was looking forward to reading a book that took place in a past time period and was about black characters/community. I really feel like I got my hopes up for nothing. I was so disappointed in this novel.

I had difficulties liking the characters. I enjoyed reading the vernacular and I love when author's use it, but I just did not find the characters likeable or admirable, and none of them "tugged at my heartstrings" in any way. I think the only part I really enjoyed was the part with the rabid dog. Otherwise, I hated this novel.

My professor and I would spend many classes arguing this book. He was shocked that, as the only black woman in the class, I was the only student in this class who didn't like it. I've even discussed this book with my sister and mother, and they both completely disagree with me. I don't make apologies for not liking this novel, but this is my opinion. My honest opinion is that this novel is an okay piece of Black American literature. It does not rank up there with Morrison and Angelou. I do feel that it is unfortunate that Hurston never knew the fame that her book has given her posthumously, but I think i can understand why she didn't achieve the fame in life that she has achieved in death. This is not a very good novel, it's okay. There are better pieces of Black American literature out there that far outshine this one. I'm sorry, I just can't give this book more than 1 star and I just am not able to give it a good review.]]>