99 pages 3 hours read

Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1970

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, set in Lorain, Ohio in 1941, follows Pecola Breedlove, a dark-skinned girl from a poor African American family, whose life is marked by trauma and tragedy, culminating in her pregnancy by her father and subsequent mental breakdown after the baby's death. This novel includes themes of child abuse, incest, pedophilia, domestic violence, and racism.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye garners acclaim for its profound exploration of race, identity, and trauma, coupled with Morrison’s lyrical prose. Critics laud its emotional depth and social critique but note its intense themes and graphic content may be challenging for some readers. The narrative complexity and poignant characters contribute to its powerful impact.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Bluest Eye?

Readers who enjoy poignant, introspective narratives about race, identity, and societal standards, such as those in Alice Walker's The Color Purple or Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, will find The Bluest Eye compelling. It delves deeply into the African American experience with powerful, lyrical prose.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

920L

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Family

Genre

American Literature

Education

Historical Fiction

Period

Existentialism

Topics

Race / Racism

Education