March 25, 2010

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Why did I read this? It was a book we already had a copy of - in fact two - because our children had read it in high school. I just picked it up and read it. It is not a long book, but is is on the difficult side because of the language constructs - written in Florida-black-Ebonics. That, by the way, gives the book some of its charm. You have to slow down.

this book is celebrated as black writing. It is interesting that a black author can "get away" with saying things that a white author can't. She talks about the racial problems, not in a vile, vindictive way, but as matter of fact - it was the way it was. Probably the most telling part is the character who thinks blacks should try to be more white. It is not scathing. It is just a look at life. It is a different life, one that is foreign to my experience, but for all of that, it is not bad or evil or good or blessed. It is just different.

I did like this book. I enjoyed the language. I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed the viewpoint. Remember, if your children get to read it in high school that it is somewhat difficult. Read it with them. You'll be glad you did.