Song of Solomon

By: Toni Morrison

Narrated by: Toni Morrison

Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller 

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. With this brilliantly imagined novel, Toni Morrison transfigures the coming-of-age story as audaciously as Saul Bellow or Gabriel García Márquez. As she follows Milkman from his rust belt city to the place of his family’s origins, Morrison introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized black world.

“You can’t go wrong by reading or re-reading the collected works of Toni Morrison. Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, everything else - they’re transcendent, all of them. You’ll be glad you read them.” (Barack Obama)

©2017 Toni Morrison (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"A rich, full novel.... It lifts us up [and] impresses itself upon us like a love affair." ( New York Times Book Review)

"A rhapsodic work.... Intricate and inventive." ( New Yorker)

Maybe a beautiful story, This author should never narrate

About 30 years ago I read song of Solomon. I thought it was one of the most magical books I had ever read. I remember reading it on a plane flight, and I couldn’t help but cry. This time I listened. Often I couldn’t understand the author/narrator. Her sentences often trail off in volume so I couldn’t understand what she said. When the two young protagonist, Guitar and Milkman, were in a dialogue I often couldn’t tell Who is speaking. I finally bought the printed book. But by then I think the magic had left it. I enjoy most audible productions, but this was not one of them. I wish it would be reproduced with a professional narrator.

Very poor sound quality.

Very tough to listen to listen to for any length of time. I don't care if it's the author reading her work, it's horrible. Get a professional to read this and make it more listenable. Very, very disappointed with this production.

Beautiful book and Production

Toni Morrison reading one of her most famous works was a delightful treat. I found the book powerful and engrossing, especially the tales of vengeance, regret, and how the desire to know family (good and bad) tie together with this novel spanning decades. Loved it and love her.

Death United Them

I so enjoy the language of Ms Morison which carries you syllable by syllable along with her rich detailed descriptions “swallowed up by the darkness” for example. That have you walking beside her sensing and feeling each encounter with people places and things. Thanks audible for presenting the captivating vocals of the author that played with death from start to finish.

Flaws in the book

Skipped words and sometimes paragraphs from my audio version-
Love the author, don't love her as the narrator-
An important book, but a better read than a listen-

Good book, confusing audiobook

While I love the book itself, but audiobook is missing parts and makes it very confusing to listen to!

Not for everyone

It was interesting to hear the author's own voice reading her book. I tried to read it through but found both the characters and the strange sad story line too unappealing.

the great Toni Morrison herself

What did you love best about Song of Solomon?

The story and characters are so engaging in Song Of Solomon that it's hard to stop turning the pages, or stop listening along, with this one.

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing the words read by the author, the great Toni Morrison herself, is quite an experience.

Have you listened to any of Toni Morrison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to many of Toni Morrison's other audiobook recordings, and you can tell that this performance is very recent due to the sound of her voice. I could still listen to it all day long though.

Any additional comments?

The beginning audio started off a bit rough, but this still gets a 5-Star rating, because Toni Morrison is deserving of nothing less.

Poetic, well-written, and confusing

Morrison writes very well with a poetic flare. However, the story jumps around so much I was easily confused. Almost quit during Part 1 but Part 2 is much better. I did like how she gave a voice to a subset of the population who at that time, didn't have many who knew their way of life. Although I normally like to hear author's narrate, Morrison's somewhat labored breathing detracted from the story's momentum. Excellent descriptive language but I could have used a more linear story line.

Narrator

I read this book years ago and loved it. I love Toni Morrison. I do not love that she narrates her books. It’s like a turn off. It makes the boom seem drawn out and I’m only in the first chapter. I strongly suggest she not narrate. The voice is not becoming at all. So sorry. Great author but her voice has left the narrating life.