Beloved

by Toni Morrison
Beloved cover
Good Books rating 4.36
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 41
  • Added: 2025-08-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780099540977
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 247
  • Reviews: 4

Sethe, a former slave, is haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter, whom she killed to save her from a life of slavery. The story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, blending elements of horror, historical fiction, and magical realism as it explores the long-lasting effects of slavery and its impact on individuals and communities. The novel delves into themes of trauma, memory, and the struggle for freedom and identity in the aftermath of slavery.

Reviews
Britannica · 2025-07-09
harrowing 4.25

A harrowing and deeply moving narrative inspired by a true story, exploring the psychological scars of slavery and a mother’s tragic act of love.

This review presents 'Beloved' as an unflinching look at slavery’s lasting trauma, rooted in the real-life story of Margaret Garner. The novel’s narrative, through flashbacks and ghostly presence, reveals Sethe’s desperate act to save her children from slavery, and her ongoing struggle with guilt and emotional freedom. The complex dynamics between Sethe, her daughter Denver, and the ghost Beloved illustrate themes of maternal love, trauma, and community healing, underscoring slavery’s deep psychological impact.

Quick quotes

    Beloved offers a harrowing look at slavery and its lasting impact.

    Sethe is a passionately devoted mother, who flees with her children from an abusive owner.

    Sethe is obsessed with assuaging her guilt and tries to placate the increasingly demanding and manipulative Beloved.

strandmagazine.co.uk · 2024-10-04
masterpiece 4.70

The novel is praised as a literary masterpiece based on a true story, emphasizing themes of brutality, horror, and profound love.

The reviewer from Strand Magazine regards 'Beloved' as Toni Morrison's third and most acclaimed novel, a true literary masterpiece grounded in historical reality. They emphasize the intense emotional weight of the story, blending brutality and horror with themes of love at any cost, which gives the book its enduring power and relevance.

Quick quotes

    Toni Morrison's third novel, 'Beloved', based on a true story about an enslaved woman named 'Sethe', is a literary masterpiece.

    A tale of brutality, horror and, above all, love at any cost.

    'Beloved' is Morrison's enduring masterpiece and best-known work.

The Word Wolf · 2022-11-21
haunting 4.50

This novel is a powerful exploration of slavery’s horrors, using the ghost of Beloved to delve into themes of enslavement, morality, and maternal love.

The reviewer found 'Beloved' to be an extremely powerful novel that spreads a crucial message about the brutal realities of slavery. They highlight how Morrison’s use of the ghost character facilitates painful memories and themes like moral ambiguity and enduring maternal love, making the story both haunting and thought-provoking. The novel’s emotional depth and community portrayal enrich the narrative beyond just a ghost story, leaving a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    Morrison chose to even use a ghost in the first place.

    The ghost of Beloved is a facilitator in this novel; it facilitates Sethe and Paul D's painful memories of the awful enslavement they both suffered.

    The fire of a mother's love can never be extinguished, that some moral dilemmas can never be solved, and that emancipation from slavery is not the same thing as true emotional freedom.

The Word Wolf · 2022-11-21
compelling 4.00

The book is colorful, characterful, and compelling, deserving of its Pulitzer Prize. Morrison's literary prowess is evident throughout.

They found 'Beloved' to be a vibrant and engaging read, with characters that are richly drawn and memorable. The reviewer highlights Morrison's skill in crafting a compelling narrative that has earned her prestigious awards. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, which makes it a standout piece of literature. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to captivate and hold the reader's attention from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    'Beloved' was a colourful, characterful, compelling book.

    Indeed it won a Pulitzer Prize, and Morrison also holds a Nobel prize for literature.

    Morrison's literary prowess is evident throughout.

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