Song of Solomon

Brilliant adult novel about family, history, and African-American heritage.

Author: Toni Morrison Pages: 352 Publisher: Random House Published Date: 08/12/1977 Genre: Fiction - Literary Fiction HC Price: $27.50 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: N/A Read Aloud: 17 Read Alone: 17

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that this is, at times, both violent and sexually explicit, and includes graphic language and allusions to incest. It is for mature readers only, and when a young adult is old enough to read this is a judgment call -- older teen readers need to be capable of handling the explicit passages maturely.

Because of its accessibility this is, for many older teens, their first foray into serious adult literature. A teen should not, however, be left to read this on his or her own. Discussing this book with a parent or teacher can allow the young adult to experience adult-themed art maturely. They can be asked questions such as "Why do you think Morrison uses this language here?" or "Why is this scene important to the book? What is she trying to achieve?" Such questions apply to more than just the explicit material, and can be helpful to the reader's understanding of the text, regardless of age. Other themes parents can discuss include the ways in which a people live on through their children, the ways in which a name defines who we are, and the ways in which the human spirit soars, literally and metaphorically.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Brad Philipson

Song of Solomon is American literature at its finest. Its beauty and complexity are simply awe-inspiring. Though the characters are primarily African-American, the story sheds light on the American experience as a whole: Milkman seeks to learn who he is by finding out who his people are. Morrison deftly interweaves past and present, and the slow discovery of the history of Milkman's people carefully reveals where he has gone wrong in his own life, and what he must do now. Morrison's firm grasp of recurring themes and images pulls readers in with all of the suspense of a popular mystery, then carefully mines the depths of the human condition, exploring the ways in which families differ and evolve, how we treat those we love and those who love us, the nature of liberty, and man's place in society.

This novel is wonderfully readable. Its complexity is not an insurmountable hurdle for mature readers. Sexually explicit passages, which number about a half-dozen, are interspersed throughout the book and are not prurient, but rather necessary to examine the full nature of certain characters. Older teen readers need to be capable of handling the explicit passages maturely.

Increasingly, Song of Solomon and other works by Morrison are showing up on high school and college reading lists. Like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it provides the opportunity for readings at various levels; a teen may read it easily and understand a great deal, then come back to the book in college or as an adult and discover even more. Teens enjoy the challenge of tackling such a complex novel, and they can empathize with Milkman's search for identity. Some may dwell on the sexual details, but students who have trouble relating to typical English class fare often find it to be the first assigned book they truly sink their teeth into and actually enjoy. Reading Song of Solomon often pushes them into insights they might not have otherwise reached. It can contribute to their maturation not because it is racy, but because it encourages them to face their own selfishness, and the limits of their own emotional experience. Though not appropriate for children, this timeless classic reflects on the human condition so insightfully and engagingly that it belongs in the pantheon of great American novels.

Plot Summary:

Macon "Milkman" Dead III is a spoiled young man who is loved by all and loves no one in return. He is the child of a prominent if dysfunctional black family in a small Michigan town, who remains blissfully unconcerned with the turbulence in his family, his community and the world. In seeking out his family's heritage, however, he discovers his own ignorance and tragically renews his sense of self.

Related Books:

Also by Toni Morrison
Beloved

Book with Similar Themes
Absalom! by William Faulkner

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Graphic and explicit scenes of intercourse and oral sex, sex between cousins, breastfeeding an older child, images of a woman lying naked in her bed with her dead father implying incest, though this later turns out to be untrue, mentions of teen sex.
Violence Suicide by jumping from a building, an attempted strangulation, a knife fight, and a shooting.
Language Language is frequently sexually suggestive and includes racial epithets and graphic trashtalking, including mentions of sodomy and forced penetration.
Message
	Social Behavior Promiscuity, theft.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Some alcohol use.