Song of Solomon

A Novel

By: Toni Morrison

Narrated by: Toni Morrison

Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An official Oprah Winfrey’s “The Books That Help Me Through” selection • The acclaimed Nobel Prize winner transfigures the coming-of-age story with this brilliantly imagined novel. Includes a new foreword by the author.

Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. As Morrison follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family’s origins, she introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized Black world.

“Morrison moves easily in and out of the lives and thoughts of her characters, luxuriating in the diversity of circumstances and personality, and revelling in the sound of their voices and of her own, which echoes and elaborates theirs.” —The New Yorker

©2004 Toni Morrison (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“A rich, full novel. . . . It lifts us up [and] impresses itself upon us like a love affair.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Stunningly beautiful. . . . Full of magnificent people. . . . They are still haunting my house. I suspect they will be with me forever.” —Anne Tyler, The Washington Post

“If Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man went underground, Toni Morrison’s Milkman flies.” —John Leonard, The New York Times Book Review

Still breathe taking!!!

Still breathe taking!!! Excellent read! I recommend this bookbto any person who wants to know the true meaning of love, life, hurt and sacrifice.

Captivating!

Mere words cannot describe the beauty of this book and to hear it in Toni Morrison's voice! OMG!
Reading this on my own has been difficult, now I get it and am forever changed.

Great Story Bad Consistency

Morrison is a wonderful writer! This is an amazing story. Although, if you are reading along with the book as you listen to the audible, the audible leaves out chunks of the book! Parts that really do matter but may not seem like it. I found myself pausing a lot just to read 3-5 pages and get caught up to where the audible was.

Not the best...

Would you try another book from Toni Morrison and/or Toni Morrison?

I've read this story already and, like most of Morrison's books, loved it. I've also purchased other Audible Toni Morrison novels. Morrison's stories are always fascinating, mulit-layered, and full of rich language and storytelling. Her voice is like a warm cup of coco with marshmallows - for real, lol. Needless to say, I will continue to purchase her audiobooks.

Unfortunately, this Morrison audiobook was not my favorite. The narration did not transition smoothly from one section to the next so it was difficult stay in the story. I know that this was an abridged version of the story, but I still think the transitions should have been better. I think it would be awesome if the book was done over and unabridged.

awesomeness at its best!

love love love Toni Morrison. I am truly looking forward to hearing her other narrations.

Almost good.

Toni Morrison's narration was absolutely fantastic, but this recording was abridged with added automated narration to fill in the gaps. It was jarring.

Missing some parts

The book is great, however, the audio skips some parts. I really love this book

It's abridged version Not worth it..

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Wasn't able to follow story and the narration was off.

Has Song of Solomon turned you off from other books in this genre?

Missed too much of the story. Wasn't able to discuss story with people who knew the story because of poor narration and abridge version.

Would you be willing to try another one of Toni Morrison’s performances?

Yes only if she narrates it solely.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

Offer the unabridge version.

Don't do it

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I don't understand why, if toni Morrison in her brilliant voice, reading her own book, would agree to this atrocity. and why wouldn't the unabridged version be offered. besides loosing important plot points, the abridgments are done in a mechanical mans voice, cutting off Morrisons beautiful reading of her own story. don't waste your time or money. i want my money back.

What didn’t you like about Toni Morrison’s performance?

loved her performance. the abridgments done in another voice are awful.

meh!

Can't understand the beginning. Although finished it. Thanks to my course teacher for making me complete this book.