A review by h_motionless
Beloved by Toni Morrison

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Beloved is a novel that I believe to be impossible to fully comprehend after one reading - I have read every page, but I know for sure that I didn’t entirely grasp every aspect. The writing is remarkable, each of the characters is complex and affected by different demons, and the harsh effects of slavery on an individual’s psychology and identity is crystal clear. This novel is brutal and carries an extraordinary amount of emotional weight and cultural significance, to the point where it is oftentimes overwhelming. Despite this, I need to reread this novel after I’ve given it a chance to settle in my mind, as I know that there is so much more for me to digest.