Paradise by Toni Morrison-Hardcover – December 24, 1997
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"Paradise" is a novel written by Toni Morrison, who is renowned for her powerful exploration of African American experiences and history. Published in 1997, "Paradise" is set in the fictional town of Ruby, Oklahoma, established by African Americans after escaping from slavery and racial persecution. The novel delves into the complexities of race, community, and identity.
The story centers around the town of Ruby, founded by descendants of freed slaves, who seek to create a utopian community away from the racism and violence of the outside world. However, tensions arise within Ruby itself, particularly between the founding families and a group of women living in an old convent nearby. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, weaving together past and present, myth and reality, to explore themes of exclusion, belonging, and the legacy of trauma.
Toni Morrison's writing in "Paradise" is characterized by lyrical prose and deep psychological insights into her characters. As with many of Morrison's works, "Paradise" offers a profound examination of the African American experience, challenging readers to confront issues of race, identity, and community. It is considered a significant work in American literature and continues to provoke discussion and critical analysis.
From the Flap
Rumors had been whispered for more than a year. Outrages that had been accumulating all along took shape as evidence. A mother was knocked down the stairs by her cold-eyed daughter. Four damaged infants were born in one family. The daughters refused to get out of bed. Brides disappeared on their honeymoons. Two brothers shot each other on New Year's Day. Trips to Demby for VD shots are common. And what went on at the Oven these days was not to be believed . . . The proof they had been collecting since the terrible discovery in the spring could not be denied: the one thing that connected all these catastrophes was in the Convent. And in the Convent were those women."
