Song of Solomon / Tar Baby / Sula

Toni Morrison's Sula is a "modern masterpiece" and a "complicated masterpiece" about the lifelong friendship of two Black women, Nel Wright and Sula Peace. The story takes place in the fictional community of “The Bottom” in Medallion, Ohio. Originally published in 1973, it is renowned for its lush, lyrical prose and thoughtful examination of womanhood, identity, and the limits of friendship.

The bond between Nel and Sula is so strong that 'they had a hard time telling one’s thoughts from the other.' “Their relationship becomes a platform for interrogating the Black feminine experience and the search for meaning. Nel signifies conformity and adherence to societal norms, whereas Sula is an "outlaw woman” who challenges the show more status quo with her anarchic ways.

The two girls grow up with a dark secret that creates a bond “stronger than anything.” This bond is finally tested by a betrayal that comes to the very brink of forgiveness. Set between 1919 and 1965, the novel uses World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, and the civil rights era as a backdrop for the struggles of life in "The Bottom." show less

Beautifully written and seriously screwed up. Wasn't sure about three or four stars but ultimately the dysfunction settled it. Review soon.

note: Both Sula and Song of Solomon are in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.