Tar Baby: A Novel (Vintage International)

This is a great novel by a Noble Prize Winning Author. It is not necessarily a simple story. It is a romance novel, a romance between two very different individuals. But, as with other Toni Morrison novels, much, much more than that. It is often complicated, and full to overflowing with symbolism. The novel required my full attention all of the time. I recognize the greatness of the writing, but did not always enjoy it. I have been reading Toni Morrison novels in the order of publication. Hence this is my fourth Toni Morrison novel. I cannot say that I have a favorite. There are times I am completely enthralled with each of them. There are times I shutter with each of them. This is serious intellectual literature. Toni Morrison addresses many issues including race issues, domestic violence and child abuse. The intelligence level is very high. This is great writing, not fun writing. With every Toni Morrison novel that I have thus far read, I have purchased the accompanying audiobook. Every one has been superb. Until now my favorite audiobook was “The Bluest Eye” narrated by the author. I absolutely loved hearing the author reading to me, her own writing, in the manner she wanted it read. This audiobook is also really excellent. The performance, by Desiree Coleman, is extraordinary. In summary I am overwhelmed by both the writing of Toni Morrison generally and this novel in particular. The writing is intricate and requires my full attention. It is not always fun. Another review wrote that Toni Morrison is in a league of her own. I completely agree. Thank You for taking the time to read this review.

My first read of TAR BABY was in high school just a couple years after it was published. I was young, thought I knew everything - especially about true love, and in a public school class where reading the assignments was not considered cool. I doubt I picked up on much of the symbolism beyond the obvious Tar Baby motif. I don't recall knowing anything about the rest of the mythology I noticed this time: the wild horsemen, the contrast between black and white, nature and the very civilised house and the greenhouse, etc. I remember feeling more sympathy toward Jadine the first time round, probably because when I was young, I thought there was always a "right way" and "wrong way." Jadine's goal is to get to a certain place, and my impressionable young mind thought achieving that goal was worth it. I see a lot more grey these days and I appreciated the reread. I was also impressed with how much I remembered. That says something for the pictures this book paints. It's been over thirty years since I read this, yet I knew the first scene, as interesting as it is on its own, was going to be mirrored at the end. I started looking for more of that, and that's when I realized what a genius Toni Morrison really is - beyond how just amazing she is all the time. The structure of the book is phenomenal yet unobtrusive. It's there, making the book resonate, but until I looked for it, it didn't stand out saying "here I am - clever me." There's so much in this novel. If I were a teacher, I would surely use it to teach some of the larger themes Morrison tackles with so much ease: it's hard to be a woman - high on the list, it's hard to be a black man - also high on the list, colorism, nature/wild/black/"scary" v civilized/tame/white/not scary, black hair and "can I touch it" (no,) that damned sealskin coat is so loaded with more than just a naked Jadine, plain ole racism that comes out in moments of stress, the power dynamic between young and old (I think it says something about my age that I felt for Valerian more this time too.) Anyway, I'm not a teacher, so I'll shut up, and just say it's good to read Toni Morrison again.

Toni Morrison is renown for her beautiful use of language, and I love that about her, but sometimes it can go on forever (which, if you've read her interviews, she is well aware of), but other than that, this book is a must read. She effectively addresses issues within the African-American community that often go overlooked: the cultural differences within the race and the balancing act of "being black" and remembering where you came from, while trying to "make it", or become someone of value in a white world. The two main characters, Son and Jadine, are representative of both these opposing views. How can two people who love each other work past their opposing views on who who they think they should be? The ending is not what one would expect from a novel that is considered a "romance", but the purpose of the ending is powerful. Go to YouTube and find her interview with Bill Moyers. She talks briefly about it there. Interactions between the classes, (those who serve and those who are served) and the loyalty that is owed to a servant who has been faithful to his or her employer are also a major point in this novel. The plot line with Valerian and Margret wasn't as compelling for me until the end when the answer of Michael's issue with his family is revealed. As always with Toni Morrison, you can't read words simply for what they are. Look deeper, and once you have, look deeper, still. If you're not willing to put in that effort, don't bother reading it. I only got through it on my second attempt, then read it in two days. The first time I had to put it down and read another one of her books because I wasn't ready to commit, but I'm glad I eventually did.

Exactly as described. Excellent condition. A+ transaction! Thank you!

nice and very easy to understand. i like it

In Tar Baby, Toni Morrison takes us to the heart of colonialism and weaves in a passionate love story. Son and Jadine, Valérien and Margaret, Sydney ans Ondine - all the characters are unforgettable. Truly literature at its highest mode of expression.

Toni Morrison ist einfach eine faszinierende Frau und Autorin, jedes Buch ist es wert gelesen zu werden. Daher klar 5 Sterne von mir.

Bought it as a gift, as advertised

I loved this book and did not want it to end. All characters are amazing, each build with complexity reflecting life where at the end it is not possible to judge who is good and who is bad it all depends ...... Toni Morrison is one of those writers that is in league of her own 5 stars ratings is really not good enough