Song of Solomon

by Toni Morrison
Song of Solomon cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
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Technical
  • ID: 10470
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • Publisher: Everyman's Library
  • Published: 1995-11-14
  • Formats: 4
  • Reviews: 3

Song of Solomon is a profound exploration of identity, heritage, and the quest for personal freedom. The novel follows Macon Dead, Jr., the son of the wealthiest Black family in a midwestern town, as he leaves home to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Through his travels, he encounters a diverse cast of characters and uncovers the hidden truths about his family's history, ultimately leading him to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world. /n/n Written in a rich, lyrical style, Song of Solomon is a powerful and moving story that delves into the complexities of race, family, and the American experience. The novel is widely regarded as a classic of American literature and has won numerous awards, including the National Book Award for Fiction.

Reviews
The New York Times · The New York Times · 2021-10-21
great 4.50

The novel is rich and slow, impressing itself upon the reader like a love affair or a sickness. It's a full novel, not a quick read.

The New York Times reviewer describes 'Song of Solomon' as a rich and slow novel that leaves a lasting impression. They compare the reading experience to a love affair or a sickness, something that stays with you long after you've finished. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the novel, noting that it's not a quick read but a full, immersive experience. They highlight the novel's ability to evoke strong emotions and its rich exploration of themes.

Quick quotes

    This is a full novel — rich, slow enough to impress itself upon us like a love affair or a sickness — not the two-hour penny dreadful.

    The novel is so layered, so rich in theme, with so many complex characters.

    Characters that live and breathe, a riveting, emotional plot, stunning symbolism, shocking honesty, and beautiful prose.

Equal Opportunity Reader · Equal Opportunity Reader · 2021-01-28
brilliant 4.75

This is top-tier Morrison with characters that live and breathe, a riveting plot, stunning symbolism, and beautiful prose.

The reviewer from Equal Opportunity Reader considers 'Song of Solomon' to be top-tier Morrison. They praise the characters, finding them vivid and lifelike, and the plot riveting and emotional. The symbolism is stunning, and the prose beautiful. The reviewer also appreciates the novel's honesty and its exploration of complex themes. Overall, they find it to be a masterful work that demands to be read and reread.

Quick quotes

    This is top-tier Morrison for me. Characters that live and breathe, a riveting, emotional plot, stunning symbolism, shocking honesty, and beautiful prose.

    Once through isn't enough. Toni Morrison's 1977 novel Song of Solomon is one of those great works of literature that demands re-reading.

    The story spirals in complexity before coming into focus in the denouement.

FictionFan's Book Reviews · FictionFan · 2019-04-09
good 4.00

The prose is very good, sometimes excellent, though it lacks the poetry and power of some of Morrison's other works. The novel is rich in theme and complex characters.

FictionFan appreciates the prose in 'Song of Solomon', finding it very good and sometimes excellent. However, they feel it doesn't quite reach the heights of Morrison's other works like 'Beloved'. The novel is praised for its rich themes and complex characters, which make it a compelling read. They also note that the novel is layered and complex, with a lot to unpack. Overall, it's a strong work, but not Morrison's absolute best.

Quick quotes

    The prose is very good, of course, sometimes excellent, though never, in my view, with the poetry and power of some of the prose in Beloved.

    This book is so layered, so rich in theme, with so many complex characters.

    The novel is a kaleidoscopic evocation of the African-American experience in the 20th century.

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