96 pages • 3 hours read
Toni MorrisonSula
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1973A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Sula by Toni Morrison follows the lives of childhood friends Nel Wright and Sula Peace, who grow up in the Black community of Medallion, Ohio. Their paths diverge when Sula leaves town and returns years later, causing a rift by beginning a relationship with Nel’s husband. The novel traces their complex friendship, familial histories, and individual decisions that lead to tragic outcomes and eventual reconciliation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Toni Morrison's Sula is widely acclaimed for its lyrical prose and deep exploration of friendship, identity, and community in a Black neighborhood. Critics praise Morrison's rich character development and evocative storytelling. However, some find the novel's nonlinear narrative challenging. Overall, it is a profound, poignant work that leaves a lasting impression.
Who Should Read Sula?
A reader who would enjoy Sula by Toni Morrison is likely drawn to intricate explorations of African American experiences, complex female friendships, and the impacts of race and community. Fans of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God will appreciate Morrison's profound storytelling and rich character development.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1050LBook Details
Modern Classic Fiction
African American Literature
Education
Race / Racism
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Relationships
Relationships: Friendship
Identity: Gender
Society: Community