Sula

I read this book for book club and I simply loved it. I'm not going to say anything about the story apart from the fact that it is set in an African American community mostly in the early XXth century. I won't say more because others have told it better than I can and the wikipedia page is already very comprehensive. First, I loved the language used in the book. English isn't my first language, and yet, it was both clear and every time that I discovered a new word, it was like a whole new depth to language opened in front of my eyes. Few books have had that impact on me just with the choice of the words used, in any language. I loved the way things were told. I'm a Gabriel García Márquez fan and I found it interesting that both authors grew up mostly with their grandparents and reportedly told that their storytelling was highly influenced by the way their grandmothers told their stories. The way the story is told is indeed how I can imagine an old grandmother tell it, like it is some sort of older wisdom, based on real events yet exagerated and unrealistic ; it feels like the material with which legends are made. The first half of the novel, that happens in the 20's and 30's made me think of Ambrose Pierce and the Grandissimes but in a modern and strikening way, much more contemporary, full of beautiful language. Amazing. I was less impressed by the second part, as I didn't get the point. I assume that the idea is that Sula has emancipated herself and doesn't fit into her community any more, which brings disaster to her and her community. Yet, what is shown is not a direct depiction of emancipation, or the new position of African Americans in the 60's, or being a woman at the time. She just acts nasty and is obnoxious to everyone for no apparent reason. I think that she was supposed to be depicted as empowered but she was so nasty that there is no wonder everyone hates her guts. Yet, I was so admirative of the first half, that it has become one of my best reads of the year. I totally recommend and I'm looking forward to read anything else by this absolutely outstanding author.