Title: Home, 2012, http://www.amazon.com/Home-Toni-Morrison/dp/0307594165/ref=sr_1_1?s=book...
*Kindle and Audio version available
Author: Toni Morrison
*Fascinating note: Toni Morrison is one of the premier writers of African American, historical fiction. The author commenced her writing career with a short story based on an episode from a childhood. The episode evolved into the novel The Bluest Eye. Metaphysical tendencies and African Realism have always resided in Morrison’s texts. Her latest novel spans the annuals of time to bring into focus the reality of the racial divides between Black and White America past.
Synopsis: The end is often the beginning. And the beginning can be the end. Readers of Toni Morrison know that her books are literary ‘rubric cubes.’ You learn to start reading and collecting flashes of images and words that appear to have no meaning, at the start. Later, the reader finds that ‘collective’ words and images form ‘community memories’ of times in American history. Home (2012) is still true to Toni Morrison’s original literary casting. Moments in time bring you to the awareness of the challenges faced by the main character. Readers must brace themselves for the stark beauty of Morrison’s lyrics and the way pictures frame the story of the protagonist, Frank Money.
Frank Money is a broken man. The Korean War impacts upon his psyche in a devastating manner. Frank Money’s memory is impaired and he finds himself ‘in care' in a facility. He must come to the aid of a sick sister. But, the act of saving his sister will bring him in direct conflict with another battle, The Jim Crow war. This war is being fought in his native Georgia. Does the wounded warrior go onto the battlefield again? Must he face other causalities in this long war without end, in his homeland of the South? Readers will embark upon this journey cautiously... just as the protagonist must. We will bear his wounds, old and new.
Critique: I will concede that I am a fan of Toni Morrison. The works of this author are not manufactured at a frequent rate. The books are like a fine wine. Each one matures slowly and comes to fruition over time. Toni Morrison allows her works to come to market only after she is content with the product. The public and critics are rarely dissatisfied. Frank Money, the protagonist, of the novel, Money (2012) is a real person. He is a victim of wars on two fronts. We find that the war at home is the most brutal. Morrison forces us to relive many dark events and experiences in American’s past. She brings the reader to an awakening that the past is still with us. The convenience of forgetfulness does not erase the shame and the crimes committed against a people. Toni Morrison will not let you forget this. This modern work is certainly presents a new scheme and manner to make you aware of these facts. Educators, historians, researchers, and residents of Georgia (USA) this is a novel for each of you!
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