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The Bluest Eye

Toni Morrison

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 19, 2021

Discussion: Author's Pick

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The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

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What Members Thought

Feb 01, 2014 Gaijinmama rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, classics, african-american, books-i-ve-used-in-class

Some of my students have selected this book for reports and presentations over the years . Just to be clear, they are non-native speakers of English. Sometimes they select the book because it is short. I don't think they realize how intense it is , until they get into it, but few have ever regretted choosing it. I require them to read at least one novel by an American, preferably still-breathing female writer of color, not because I personally dislike the classic Dead White Males, but because sa ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2009 Stacey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The last time I read The Bluest Eye was 12 years ago. The second time was more thought provoking on race and discrimination within the black community. Pecola stole my heart and this book is uncomfortable and heart wrenching. I wanted to scoop her up and hold her. Toni Morrison is a master at writing with intention and every sentence has meaning.

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Jan 18, 2016 ColumbusReads rated it liked it

I'm currently on my quest (journey?) this year to read the Toni Morrison canon in chronological order and the first stop in this quest is of course her literary debut, The Bluest Eye. Prior to starting this exciting journey I've been told to give my undivided attention to the prose or else. Well, that was my intention but lo and behold life events waylaid, ambushed and interrupted my plans and my focus was not totally there. And as one knows reading Toni Morrison that's just not going to cut it. ...more

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Jan 09, 2011 Chris Blocker rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Toni Morrison's debut novel is both haunting and beautiful. Right from the beginning, she tells of the tragedy that will take place and doing so certainly helps the pieces come together throughout the novel.

The story is told through various viewpoints which adds significant credibility. Had Morrison stuck with the viewpoint of Pecola, the victim, the novel would've felt like it was asking for pity. Had it feel on her attacker, it obviously would've been much darker--without heart. A townsperson ...more

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Apr 06, 2016 Lynn L rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: african-american, 1001-challenge, woman-author

The language and imagery in this book are wonderful. The characters are heartbreaking. Morrison's style of writing is beautiful and at the same time awkward. Transitions within the story sometimes felt rather abrupt and unexpected. I fear I am just not sophisticated enough to "get it". Putting my limitations aside this is a beautiful book. ...more

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Aug 27, 2009 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, adult-fiction, african-american, literary-fiction, novels, book-club, literature-american, academic-school, classics, challenged-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I initially read this book because it was supposed to be going on the "challenged/banned book list." I was curious to find out why this book was being challenged, and what made this book so interesting to get rid of this from schools' reading lists across the world.

This book tells a story of a young black girl who wants to be beautiful and have blue eyes like white girls. End of story...

She finds herself amongst a family who is severely dysfunctional and is poverty stricken. They live in the 6 I initially read this book because it was supposed to be going on the "challenged/banned book list." I was curious to find out why this book was being challenged, and what made this book so interesting to get rid of this from schools' reading lists across the world.

This book tells a story of a young black girl who wants to be beautiful and have blue eyes like white girls. End of story...

She finds herself amongst a family who is severely dysfunctional and is poverty stricken. They live in the 60's where black women are still somewhat serving in servitude in white family kitchens across the nation. The brothers are being beaten down by the white man, and emasculated through the type of work they can and cannot find. The black family is at a time where supreme tension, anger, domestic violence, and stress is all too common. Everyone is getting beat down by the live and in color racism that is going on in this timeframe... and unfortunately, little black girls believe that being white or having white features will release them from being hated and treated like 2nd rate citizens.

Pecola, an ugly child as the book describes, has met her fate... her father, drunk and disorderly all the time, has been living a life escaping embarrassment, shame, and being stripped of his manhood all before it really started. He meets a woman who is also living a life trying to escape how out of place she is... a broken foot that she drags around, all while missing front teeth to further shape the ugliness that resides on the outside of her face. They have 2 children, boy and a girl. They live in a storefront where everyone can see them... sticking out like a sore thumb. There is no privacy, and no one respects anyone. The father beats on the wife, the wife degrades the father, the child lie in fear of both parents, all while not having a relationship either.

Pecola, doesn't feel loved, nor is she loved at all. She is an ugly child, as the author describes her, and she goes through her young life seeking the white attributes of white girls, specifically their blue eyes. She believes that if she has blue eyes, no one will treat her bad, she will be loved, and respected.

Her father ends up raping her. She, as a result, get pregnant by her incestuous father, and people all over the city shun the family and is repulsed by what has happened. They click their tongues, and turn up their noses, but no one helps... just gossip. The child who is having a child ends up going to "Soaphead Church," a child sexual predator in the making to ask him for "blue eyes," as he's the local psychic/conjurer/magician. He makes her believe he has worked his magic and provided her with blue eyes. Pecola, then goes crazy, imagining herself with these blue eyes and winds up going looney.

Cholly, her father flees the city and ends up dying on the job. The boy takes off and runs away for good. The mother, is still working for the white family, and Pecola, is with her mom, but rocking back and forth believing she has blue eyes. The baby never survives because of a beating Pecola suffers at the hands of her mother, and life continues on in this despairing funk.

The content of this book does have some language in it that would ask the question regarding what age/grade this book is being introduced to, but I wouldn't go as far as to ban this book from schools. The message in this book is clear... we cannot pretend or ask for "blue eyes" just to make us pretty. We have to know deep down in our hearts that beauty lies within. Racism is real, but we have to fight it! Be strong and confident in who you are as a person, and you will succeed in life.

Black girls have to realize that what's in the media/TV/etc is not real. We cannot just slap "blue eyes," weaves/straight hair, or light skin on us to make us pretty. There will always be something prettier or thinner, or better than you... but we as women have to beyond that and find the beauty in us to be a stronger person.

Overall I would rate this book a 4. I would recommend this book to every middle school/high school black girl. ...more

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