Conductorwoman answers “hey guys! I am not a native, but I'm not...”

Ha Med asked this question about Beloved (Beloved Trilogy, #1):

hey guys! I am not a native, but I'm not new to novels....... I cant quite understand the text in this book, Am I the only one??? should I read another book prior to this one in ortherto understand??? (the literary books I had read and came across with no problem at all: pride and prejudice, Frankenstein etc,,, ) thanks in advance

Conductorwoman The answer lies in the introduction. I have taught this book several times, always asking the students to read the intro first. The key is in Morrison…moreThe answer lies in the introduction. I have taught this book several times, always asking the students to read the intro first. The key is in Morrison's stated goal:
"I wanted the reader to be kidnapped, thrown ruthlessly into an alien environment as the first step into a shared experience with the book's population--just as the characters were snatched from one place to another, from any place to any other, without preparation or defense."

This was exactly my experience the first time through. Each time I teach the novel I re-read it. Each time I re-read it, I find something new. This is what makes literature great. If you find yourself tangled in Morrison's use of time and place, know that the author has succeeded. Slow down a little and see how she throws you from 124 to Sweet Home, to the escape, to the prison camp. It's not a read to be done quickly, but one to be puzzled out, thought about, and then savored. It's worth reading again and again. I have come to love this book.
By the way, my students have tried to cop out and watch only the movie and still had difficulty. They discovered that reading the book together has revealed to them what the film was about. If you have/had someone with whom to read together, the experience is even better. (less)

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