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  July Book Read: Toni Morrison's Sula

  Naturally, there have been several discussions of Toni Morrison and her works within this group's pages. How about we read Sula for our July book read? This way, everyone will have nearly a month to secure the book, at least. The novel is only 174 pages and really is a fantastic read. (as if you'd expect anything less from Morrison)
  
  Book synopsis: Two girls who grow up to become women. Two friends who become something worse than enemies. In this brilliantly imagined novel, Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison tells the story of Nel Wright and Sula Peace, who meet as children in the small town of Medallion, Ohio. Their devotion is fierce enough to withstand bullies and the burden of a dreadful secret. It endures even after Nel has grown up to be a pillar of the black community and Sula has become a pariah. But their friendship ends in an unforgivable betrayal-or does it end? Terrifying, comic, ribald, and tragic. Sula is a work that overflows with life.
  
  Any takers?

  Jaya started this discussion 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  katrin c 

  well jaya, we've finally got a book that i own...and since i'll be on vacation in july..... :)

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jaya 

    Hey, sounds good kat! And vacation sounds even better. ;) Have you read it? I had Sula on my shelf for years before I ever picked it up, sat down, and gave it a chance.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  katrin c 

  it's a little dusty...but i've wanted to read it for a while now. i'm eager to do so this july.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  I've had Sula on my shelf for years. I can't wait to read and discuss for BWFL! What date in July are we are going to start reading the book?
  
  Bless!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Necia R 

  I'm in too. have to check my shelves, but I think there's a copy there. if not I'll find one
  

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Jaya 

  Sweet! There are at least four of us who'll be joining in on the Sula read. The date to begin reading/discussing is open to suggestion. Thoughts? What dates work best for you all?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene 

    I'm finding a copy of Sula at the local bookstore. I don't seem to find my daughter's copy...
    
    The second week in july is great. Reading guide anyone...
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene (edited)

    I found a reading guide and a link to Oprah's guide...
    
    http://www.luminarium.org/contemporary/tonimorrison/sula.htm
    
    copy and paste on notepad or your browser to find it; shelfari does not link!
    
    edition Oprah edit:
    
    http://www.oprah.com/obc/pastbooks/toni_morrison/obc_20020405_questions.jhtml
    
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  How about we start reading the second week in July 7th or 8th?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Jaya 

    The second week in July works for me! 7/7/08, everyone?

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  MahoganyRain 

  I think I have already read this book. But I don't mind reading it again. Count me in.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  I can't wait until we start the discussion for Sula! Happy reading to all that are joining in the group read!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene 

    I'm reading and searching Oprah's discussion guide, a link found from the one described above. The other's tear the book apart on what might have been!

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  I'm going to check out the study guide too! I am curious to compare the study guide with the book!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Willie B 

  I'm in...read Sula a couple of wks ago and enjoyed it. I will review with group when dates set...

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  2Serenity 

  oops I am just seeing this thread now and I have the books somewhere in my pile of books! =( I have not read it though. I will have to join discussions after everyone. Sorry for me being late!! [hugz]

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  When would everyone like to start the discussion of Sula? I am thinking that we should target June 20 since the book is only 174 pages. Let me know what you guys think?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene (edited)

    Sunday July 20, sounds good...

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    jboogie19 

    I'm looking forward to the discussion. I'm halfway through the book.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  AlmondEyedTrini 

  Hello sisters. I'm very happy to see some of the old members returning and a lot of new faces. I've been away for a while and hope to be an active member again. Sula sounds wonderfully fabulous. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on the book soon. ~C

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  Hey Ladies,
  
  We will start the discussion of Sula on July 20. I will lead the discussion of with some questions from the Oprah Study Guide and add in a few of my own feelings from the book. I look forward to sharing thoughts, emotions, and reviews of the book.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  TruEssence 

  Hey ladies! I have not been active in a very long time! I plan to change that. I read Sula years ago, and really loved it! I still remember it and I look forward to this discussion!:)

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    tbetty 

    Yeah, I read Sula years ago too, and it's definitely one of my favorites. I may not be able to read it since I'm out of town, and it looks like you'll be discussing it soon, but I may drop in. I also heard that Morrison should be coming out with a new novel soon. Is there any truth to that? If so, please spread the good word.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    beachlover20855 

    Yes, Ms Morrison is coming out with a new book later this year. (Nov 2008)
    
    A Mercy
    
    Jacob is an Anglo-Dutch trader in 1680s United States, when the slave trade is still in its infancy. Reluctantly he takes a small slave girl in part payment from a plantation owner for a bad debt. Feeling rejected by her slave mother, 14-year-old Florens can read and write and might be useful on his farm. Florens looks for love, first from Lina, an older servant woman at her new master’s house, but later from the handsome blacksmith, an African, never enslaved, who comes riding into their lives . . .
    
    At the novel’s heart, like Beloved, it is the ambivalent, disturbing story of a mother and a daughter – a mother who casts off her daughter in order to save her, and a daughter who may never exorcise that abandonment.
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  lioness7 

  Hey Ladies,
  
  I hope that evryone has enjoyed reading Sula! I am going to start the group discussion with some questions from the Oprah discussion and share some of my feelings about the novel.
  
  !. Sula and Nel become friends and later seem to be each other's alter egos. How does Nel's decision to marry inform Sula's llife? How does Sula's leaving influence Nel?
  
  2. Eva gave her children to a neighbor and retuned 18 months later, minus one leg. What is the possible symbolic siginificance of Eva's missing leg? How does it tie in to the theme of deceptive appearances in the novel?
  
  3. Sula contains some adult language and themes. Is this book appropriate for high school students? Are African Americans portrayed in a positive or negative light in the book? Whata bout the portrayal of white people?
  
  My feelings- I am always so moved by Morrison's writing that her books seem to stay with me over many years. By reading Sula I questioned various things about motherhood, sisterhood, womanhood, self sacrifice, and racisim. I wanted to step back away from the novel and really focus on the development of each character and their struggles to survive as Black women.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene (edited)

    How does Nel's decision to marry inform Sula's life?
    The marriage episode was separation brought on by initiation. Sula was no less excited about the wedding. “She thought it was the perfect thing to do following their graduation from general school.” Sula handled the arrangements for Nel. She wanted to be the bridesmaid. No others. Sula's generousity toward Nel had a healthy dose of jealously. When Nel was dancing with Jude at the wedding reception the blue dress faded from the woman in white. Sula left and remained gone for a decade.
    
    Sula and Nel become friends and later seem to be each other's alter egos.
    The adult Sula searched & wandered trying to find success, choosing between men. Jude was a man eligible to choose between many young women. Nel’s submissive character he felt was suitable to his ego.
    
    How does Sula's leaving influence Nel?
    Nel’s response to Jude’s shame and anger selected her away from Sula. “And greater than her friendship was this new feeling of being needed by someone who saw her singly.”
    
    Where the three friends pleased with their decisions? Yes!
    Jude recognized Sula as her adventurous friend. Nel was a person of order, loyalty was expected, glorified. He needed someone to understand his man experience. Jude felt the Black man should be considered. Dancing around in the summertime heat the reception helped them to fell close enough to be intimate. “For the first time that day they relaxed and looked at each other, and liked what they saw.” Page 79-85 consist of the wedding scene...
    

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    imogene (edited)

    Sula contains some adult language and themes. Is this book appropriate for high school students?
    I feel this book is appropriate for young adults, based on the historical data and the lesser initation into a sexual life with marriage and it's problems as a real everyday work life that has to struggle.
    
    Are African Americans portrayed in a positive or negative light in the book?Quotations: Oracle in 1939, they introduced a white man lover, the unthinkable… Page 113 “Every one of them imagined the scene, Sula underneath some white man –and it filled them with choking disgust. There was nothing lower she could do nothing filthier.
    
    What about the portrayal of white people?
    They insisted that all unions between white men and black women be rape; for a black woman to be willing was literally unthinkable. In that way, they regarded integration with precisely the same venom that white people did.
    
    What can we say on equal rights?
    Undoubtedly integration was neither easy nor acceptable to the masses all together at one time. There was plenty of negotiation going on according to what was acceptable behavior. I assume equality was a ethical attribute to look for and expect, an adult sexual language,based on social political themes.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  TruEssence (edited)

  I love the realness of the relationship between Nel and Sula. I love the honesty and flaws that both of these women had. I hated what Nel did, but I still sensed the pain in her and saw a woman who was desperate for some kind of happiness. They both were in need of contentment. The book was so relatable with all of its tragedy and life issues.
  
  Sula contains some adult language and themes. Is this book appropriate for high school students?
  I do think that this book is appropriate for high school students. Young ladies in high school have strong female relationships and bestfriends. I think some of dynamics of Nel Wright and Sula Peace will resonate with them. I read this book when I was a young adult.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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