"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board...for some they sail forever on the horizon..."
Janie is a young African-American woman with dreams of romance. She experiences a longing "for the world to be made." (p. 11) These dreams are circumvented by her grandmother who marries her off to Logan Killicks, a well-off older man so that Janie can have a more secure life. Janie tries to love him, but finally realizes that "marriage does not make love. Janie's first dream was dead, so she became a woman." (p. 25)
She eventually runs off twice to find a better, more adventurous life. The first one, Joe Starks, intends to become a rich and important person. Although his plans prove successful, the life Janie lives becomes suffocating. It is only when she meets Tea Cake, who has nothing but love to offer, does she learn to live fully and adventurously. "She pulled in her horizon like a great fish-net....so much of life in its meshes! She called in her soul to come and see."
The book gives a first hand account of the African American experience of the early 20th century- the racism and classism(based on not only money but racial features-i.e. Mrs. Turner who "built an altar to Cuaucasian characteristics for all" p. 145) experienced, the search for a voice and a place to make a free and independent life, as well as the misogyny evident in the lives of women. (For instance, in a fit of jealousy, Tea Cake whips Janie and then is proud that due to her light skin, every bruise is visible.)
This brilliant novel cocludes that the gossip that surrounds her come from people that have never truly experienced life or love. "Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got to find out about livin fu theyselves." (p. 192)
How true! There is a reason this book is one of the list of "The Greatest Books". ( )

This was my first pick to get me out of a slump. It started off slow and the language took a bit to get used to but once it got going it did not stop and kept you right there with Janie. Phenomenal read, very glad to have had this be my first book of the year ( )

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/DP2x7m7JLjg

Enjoy!

I read this after seeing the first episode of Great American Read, and I am glad I did. Hurston wrote a masterpiece that grabbed me from the very beginning with language, characters and story. I can see myself going back to this book and devouring scenes over and over through the years.
I suggest listening to the audiobook read by Ruby Dee. This helped me get the vernacular in my mind while reading. The slow drawl of Ms. Dee is perfect for the novel. ( )

I loved this book. One of the best I've read in Southern lit. so far. I can't wait to read some of her other books.

I loved it again after re-reading it. ( )