Song of Solomon

Re-read after Toni Morrison's death because this was the first book I read of hers, and I remember it as golden and influential in my life. Re-reading after 30 years, elements of the story weighed differently with me than they did the first time. I remembered the unearthing of Solomon's story as long and drawn out, based on agonizing detective work, but on re-reading I realized that Milkman practically picked the story out of thin air on the basis of nothing much. I remembered sympathizing strongly with Hagar, but this time I agreed more with First Corinthians on the subject of Milkman. I had completely forgotten about the friendship with Guitar and its breakdown. One thing I recognized and remembered as soon as I opened the book and read the first page again is that to read a Toni Morrison book is to put yourself in the hands of a master.

This book tells the story of the “Dead” family through the life of its youngest member, Macon Dead III, called Milkman. Milkman is drawn into the rift between his well to do landlord father and his moonshine brewing, herbal medicine practicing aunt. Because of this rift, he comes to investigate his family's origins and the early lives of his father and his aunt. What he finds surprises and energizes him, and draws him into a more authentic life.