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britprincess1ajax
Dec 24, 2017britprincess1ajax rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Big issues seen through the littlest of eyes, Janie tells you a tale that will whip you around until you feel dizzy. THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD is not one of my favourites, but I can see why it is a very important book. It provokes emotions, without question, and those emotions are often tied to big ideas, thinking beyond her story while staying planted firmly within the intricacies of the relationships in Janie's life. While she recounts the steps she's made through life, Janie is also tackling the grand scale. It is a feminist text, but not in the overt way that makes some people cringe (cough, chauvinist misogynists, cough). Her courage and the strength of her decisions are important in a time that cannot fathom why she dare have the conviction to take action when she's just so darn pretty. But, to Janie, it's not what's on her face but in her head that matters. She deals with what life hands her and there is a spiritual element that courses through her, egging her on to be who she wants to be. While some parts of the book dragged, others chugged along mighty strong. And while I didn't particularly like what I felt was a rushed resolution in order to conclude the novel, I can understand that it may have been a stylistic choice reflecting the ebb and flow of life itself. As we all well know, sometimes a week can feel like years and then a year can feel like days. Sometimes, we are waiting for the second hand to tick over; other times, we are begging for another hour in the day. I can understand why this is the favourite novel of one of my friends. It may not be mine, but I don't, for a second, regret reading it. For anyone with the patience to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, I recommend THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD.