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The Bluest Eye (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 65,470 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The Bluest Eye, published in 1970, is the first novel written by Toni Morrison, winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature. It is the story of eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove -- a black girl in an America whose love for its blond, blue-eyed children can devastate all others -- who prays for her eyes to turn blue: so that she will be beautiful, so that people will look at her, so that her world will be different. This is the story of the nightmare at the heart of her yearning, and the tragedy of its fulfillment.
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"I started reading this book in high school but it was hard to grasp it fully. I finished it this year and I realized a lot of what Morrison was writing about, I and many other black little girls go through in some way in our adolescent years. Its a profound book and one of my favorites. "
— Lex (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“So precise, so faithful to speech, and so charged with pain and wonder that the novel becomes poetry.”
— New York Times -
“This story commands attention, for it contains one black girl’s universe.”
— Newsweek -
“A profoundly successful work of fiction…Taut and understated, harsh in its detachment, sympathetic in its truth…it is an experience.”
— Detroit Free Press -
“Morrison’s brilliant tale is beautifully brought to life by Dee’s dramatic, powerful voice.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review (audio review)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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An Oprah’s Book Club Selection
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An O Magazine Pick of 25 Books Every Woman Should Read in Her Lifetime
The Bluest Eye Listener Reviews
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" Not only was the story interesting but it was also complex. The narration was great. Ruby Dee's voice is amazing! "
— Nora, 1/10/2016 -
" I picked this up out of my bookshelf because I had nothing to read. I've read almost everything else Toni Morrison has written but for some reason never read this one. It's definitely clear that this is her first novel - not perfectly crafted and coherent like her other books. It's also interesting because you see characters and themes from the other books make an appearance in this one - Pilate from Song of Solomon, swinging someone around and killing them from Sula. In fact many of the themes were so familiar that I kept thinking "have I read this before?" But despite its flaws there are moments where you just sit back and think, God DAMN that woman can write. Her power of description and evocation of pain are like no other writer I've ever read. She is definitely the best writer of the 20th century. "
— Jill, 2/18/2014 -
" Was tempted to flip back the pages to the beginning to read it again. This is a poetic masterpiece. The story of this girl's life is so tragic, but Toni was able to describe all those who played a part in her life's struggle in such a humane eloquent manner. She inspires me. "
— Joy, 2/18/2014 -
" I had to read this book for school, and I'm so glad we did. Toni Morrison is an extremely talented author and I loved her writing style. The story was amazing and had a great theme. This was a joy to read. "
— Bethany, 2/10/2014 -
" An interesting book about the devastating challenges of Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl growing up in 1940's Ohio who yearns to have "the bluest eyes". She suffers from racial discrimination and extreme abuse by her family. It is not an easy read, but definitely worth it. "
— Lisa, 1/27/2014 -
" Beautifully written, but more than disturbing. "
— Jennifer, 1/23/2014 -
" The book is beautifully written. But the story is just so desperate! I always read or listen to book at least twice but this is one of the book that I won't listen to for the 2nd time. It doesn't make me feel good! "
— MeLita, 1/20/2014 -
" one of the most sad books I have ever read. and still brilliant. "
— Kathy, 1/18/2014 -
" Absolutely the best piece of literature I have ever read.. I was introduced to it in my teens.. I understood it in my 20's and I appreciate it in my 30's!!! "
— Elle, 1/7/2014 -
" A very powerful look at some difficult topics: racism, abuse, self-hatred, society's perception of beauty and ugliness, etc. A haunting, yet excellent read. "
— K, 1/4/2014 -
" This book presents real life issues and feelings. Such a dark book to read but definitely makes you think about your surroundings. Loved it. Doing a literary analysis on it currently for my final paper. "
— Alexandria, 12/7/2013 -
" loved this book. very very sad. about a mother who's a maid for a rich family and has to mother the other child more than her own. sad. but - very good and very historically true. i recommend to everyone. "
— Irene, 12/1/2013 -
" Read for Am Lit. Disturbing but written nicely. "
— Nicole, 10/6/2013 -
" Very moving. This is not the correct edition. I believe my copy was part of a set and there is no ISBN number. "
— Bridget, 9/14/2013 -
" Very well written but very disturbing to read since the subject concerns incest, rape, insanity, and prejudice. "
— Bobbi, 3/2/2013 -
" Truly a classic. It tells the tale of a young black girl who wishes, hopes and prays that her eyes will become blue. Haunting and touching. A must read. "
— Danyel, 1/19/2013 -
" This was part of my summer reading list. I couldn't exactly relate to the character. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't forced upon me. "
— Jenna, 10/1/2012 -
" it was a great book with a meaning "
— Atiya, 8/29/2012 -
" Quintessential Oprah's book club book. "
— Kstieler, 3/10/2012 -
" my favorite author's first book. it's so beautifully written and of course I loved it! "
— Tiara, 1/19/2012 -
" Typically, I am not a Toni Morrison fan, but I thought this was a well written book(as all her books are) and it was very powerful "
— Kathidfsmc, 12/7/2011 -
" Been reading this book for the past few years, keep having to start over and read from the beginning. Anything by Toni Morrison is pure perfection to mine eyes. "
— Nana', 10/20/2011 -
" I don't know the last time a book made me cry. Toni Morrison's descriptions of suffering, shame, cruelty, alienation, loneliness, and longing are incredibly palpable and poignant. Achingly beautiful. "
— Susan, 9/13/2011 -
" heartbreaking depiction of the pressure to be "beautiful" "
— Kelley, 5/18/2011 -
" one of the most sad books I have ever read. and still brilliant. "
— Kdirewolf, 5/14/2011 -
" My very favorite book. Some days. "
— Vega, 5/11/2011 -
" Really liked it - read it twice! "
— Helen, 5/9/2011 -
" Tragic and moving... I read the version with Toni Morrison's Afterword in it, and that also provided quite a bit of insight into the novel. "
— Marissa, 4/27/2011 -
" I really don't think any of Ms. Morrison's books belong on a Banned Book List! "
— Loriann, 4/27/2011
About Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison (1931–2019) was an American novelist, poet, essayist, editor, teacher, and professor. In 2012, President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also received the Nobel Prize for Literature, the National Book Critics Circle Award, a Pulitzer Prize for literature, an American Book Award, the Norman Mailer Prize, the PEN/Saul Bellow Award, the Condorcet Medal, the Thomas Jefferson Medal, and the Anisfield Wolf Book Award, among others. She wrote twelve novels, including Beloved, which won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was made into a major motion picture starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.
About Toni Morrison
Ruby Dee (1922–2014) was a multi-award-winning actress, playwright, screenwriter, and activist. During her seven-decade career, she won a Grammy, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk award and was nominated for an Academy Award. She was also the recipient of a National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Center Honor, and Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. She is perhaps best known for originating the role of Ruth Younger in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun, but she also had roles in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever. She was also known for her civic work with husband Ossie Davis. She also wrote plays, fiction, and a column in New York’s Amsterdam News. Born in Cleveland, she worked initially with the American Negro Theater in Harlem, where she grew up.