MY THOUGHTS ON TONI MORRISON'S NEW NOVEL HOME.
Like many of you, I have been a fan of Toni Morrison since I
was a freshman in college. It was in those classrooms that I fell in love with
the magic that is Toni Morrison. It was through her writings that I came to
understand and to love the use of stream consciousness in fiction writing.
After college I continued to be a fan. However, for anyone
who has read Morrison, you know reading her can take work. I learned to digest
Morrison's books by taking a highlighter and creating a family tree/org chart
to keep up with who was connected to whom. Also, I pulled out the Bible on more
than one occasion because often her books have biblical references and
metaphors. Of course it was never possible to even come close to understanding
a Morrison novel with just one read. I confess that I have read Songs of Solomon at least (4) times, Paradise (3) times and Beloved, I can't even count. And I still feel as if I've missed
something or there's more for me to learn.
Now fast forward to the twenty-first century. Morrison's
recent novels have been quite different. A lot less voluminous than some of her
earlier works. Usually, no more than 200 pages. Though still rich in substance;
they tend not to have the type of complex themes and metaphors that leave one
feeling exhausted and for me, just a bit inadequate. Let me correct myself. The
complexity of themes is still there, but they don't seem to be as deeply hidden
in symbolisms as they once were.
These days it would appear that Morrison has mastered the
art of less is more. The stories are just as rich, and your soul still feels
full, but just with half the dose.
This is definitely the case with Home. Morrison is no less masterful in her ability to weave a story
and paint a mosaic that leads the reader into the joy, pain and personal growth
of the character(s). In Home, we take
a spiritual and emotional journey with the main character Frank, who is a
Korean War veteran. More likely than not, Frank is suffering from PTSD.
We follow Frank on his painful journey to reconnect with his
sister Cece, who has also experienced her own personal and physical trauma at
the hands of a trusted physician for whom she is employed. Morris without being
mushy; shows us that familiar bonds can never be completely broken and love and
forgiveness transcends and heals all wounds.
The opening line of the novel, in classic Morrison style
sets the tone of the story:
"They rose up like men. We saw
them. Like men they stood." (Home, p.3).
Morrison still employs stream of consciousness, masterfully.
But this reader was able to follow it; possibly because it was not overlaid
with as many metaphors and symbols as in some of Morrison's earlier works. Yet,
her ability to make readers hear, taste and smell what the characters are
experiencing is no less poignant.
For example:
"The iced iron
of the fire escape steps was so painful he
jumped over the rails
to sink his feet into the warmer
snow on the grown.
Manic moonlight going the work
of absent starts
matched his desperate frenzy, lighting
his hunched shoulders
and footprints left in the snow."
(Home p. 11).
Home, like many of
Morrison novels is the story of one man's journey through childhood and adult
trauma, and the courage he is able to call forth in order to make his way back
to redemption and healing. I recommend
the book for veteran Morrison fans and for those who might have been
intimidated or exhausted by some of Morrison's earlier works. I feel confident
than neither audience will be disappointed.
AkaziaHunt
© 2012
