Books I'm Reading: The Bluest Eye

"The Bluest Eye" written by Toni Morrison. This book destroyed me. It really did. And I don't often say that about a book, but good gawd, when I got to the final chapter I was bawling my eyes out. I cried so much I had to start drinking whiskey just to comfort myself. Then I got so drunk I passed out. And all over a book. 


In my last post, I talked about "Sister Citizen" and the John-Henryism effect. "The Bluest Eye" deals with beauty (or the lack thereof) in the black community. There's also sexism, colorism, feminism, incest, violence, and poverty. Morrison shows us these horrors by streaming it through the eyes of a little girl named Pecola. Pecola, who wishes for blue eyes and blonde hair. Pecola, who is abandoned by her mother and raped by her father. Pecola, who is seen by everyone, shamed by everyone, and utterly ignored by all. Little Pecola. 


Gawd, she destroyed me. When Pecola finally becomes undone, I found myself unraveling just the same. I wanted to tear my hair out. I thought of all the Pecolas of the world who would never be seen, never be saved. And I got so angry because I guess I saw a little bit of myself in her too. 


Reading books like these just makes me want to become a better writer. Toni Morrison's writing is next to godliness. I am jealous but happy to read a book by such an awesome storyteller. She inspires me as a black female writer, to really push myself and do something great. I may never be able to write like Toni Morrison, but good gawd, I will try to learn from her if I can! Highly recommend this book. 


Happy reading!