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Originally Posted by lorijds
My post was more geared toward mommy sunshine, in regards to Beloved.
Well, I guess we'll just disagree. I personally think you cannot criticize a book you haven't even read. That's rather narrow, don't you think?
I am a breastfeeding educator, extended breastfed my children, and encourage others to do so. I also absolutely love Toni Morrison. To criticize her usage of breastfeeding *when you haven't even read what she wrote about it* is really rather lame.
And critics and reviewers *don't* do it all the time. They typically stick to writing reviews about books that they've read.
You certainly don't have to like Toni Morrison, or her books. I can't read Beloved anymore; it's just too hard for me. Song of Solomon, though, is just so amazing and beautiful, I have read it probably 10 times. I love the element of the supernatural in it; and Milkman's aunt is this incredible woman. All the characters are so complex and rich. No one is just "good" or "bad". Milk man's mother, who is definately manipulative, is also a strong generous woman. His father, who is bitter and power hungry, is also a strong man who built himself from nothing, and took care of his sister after his mother and father died. Their love is this strange beast that is definately multifaceted--sometimes they are so passionate with one another, and sometimes his mother and father are just plain mean to one another. His aunt is witchy and strange, yet beautiful and mystical. Milk man is selfish and egocentric, yet he loves both his parents and wants to do right by them, to make them happy again and proud of him. Add in the complexities of all this occuring in the 1930s-50s, and you've got yourself quite a story.
Anyhow, don't read it if you don't want. That's totally cool. But trashing it, when you aren't even sure what it says, and only for a couple of sentences taken completely out of the context of the story; well, that just seems pretty narrow.
Lori
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It's a beautiful book, as is _Beloved_ (although, I will never read that heartwrenching book again). I thought it was very challenging, and I read it several times and still got more out of it with each reading.
I think you really aren't understanding the way it's presented. Lorijds said it better than I did, but it's about how a manipulative woman is using something so sacred and beautiful for her own benefit. To me, it wasn't even about the boy's age but rather the fact it was forced upon him.
The scene in _Beloved_ is one of the most shocking and dreadful descriptions of violation I've ever read. There are several scenes from that novel that I will never, ever forget. It's not for the faint-hearted.
Anyhow, back to _Song of Solomon_ - if you don't want to read it, don't. It wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, of course. But, to say Morrison has something against extended nursing based on the little you heard of a book you refuse to read is.. well, silly and I feel safe in saying inaccurate.
And I should add, I didn't 'make it' a year either. I tried and couldn't for a variety of health reasons. I guess I am in that club you are assuming Ms. Morrison is in.
BUT, I would have loved to and I have nothing at all against extended breastfeeding.
