Photograph: Murdo MacLeod
On 31st October I watched BBC2’s Newsnight with Kirsty Wark presenting from New York and talking to Toni Morrison about her new novel A Mercy and her views on Barack Obama.
A Mercy is a lyrical novel set in 17th century America. One of the central characters is a black slave girl whose mother gives her up to a stranger in the hope that she will have a better life. But the book also features white and Native American characters who are working in servitude. In this novel Toni Morrison wanted to separate race from slavery.
Listening to Toni Morrison discuss her new novel and read extracts was a breath of fresh air and some consolation to not being able to book a seat to see her at the Southbank Centre on 28th October (tickets sold out fast!).
Toni Morrison is my favourite author although I must admit; she grew on me fairly slowly. Reading her 4th novel Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1988) and Nobel Prize for Literature (1993) and which I have used as a reference when I tutor creative writing classes, was the turning point for me, and I have since read all eight of her previously published novels and yes they aren’t for the fainthearted.
Toni Morrison writes in ways that draw you right into the story; and her use of narrative is woven into articulate and beautiful prose – sometimes you have to re-read a paragraph; sometimes you’re left wondering where you are only to have your questions answered later on in the text – timing is crucial and when you are finally enlightened there is a wonderful light bulb moment.
On Barack Obama, Toni Morrison discussed how globally we are going through crucial times and that Obama’s natural abilities and wisdom will make a much needed difference and that we all need that change; that break from the status quo.
She did state that she knew that amongst the African-Americans within the Civil Rights Movement, there was the fair and somewhat justified issue of doubt as to whether Obama’s position comes from a deserved place/journey because he is not a descendent of slavery and has not directly participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the way that other significant leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King have done.
Toni Morrison’s conclusion was that she thought Obama was the right and best presidential candidate despite his race and his ‘lack’ of racial and ancestral background that may be perceived as non-deserving.
I’m with Toni Morrison on this issue and look forward to joining in much historical and political celebrations on 4th November, as I think it’s time for change and my money’s on Barack Obama to do the job.
Meanwhile, I’m off to purchase my copy of Toni Morrison’s new book…
On 31st October I watched BBC2’s Newsnight with Kirsty Wark presenting from New York and talking to Toni Morrison about her new novel A Mercy and her views on Barack Obama.
A Mercy is a lyrical novel set in 17th century America. One of the central characters is a black slave girl whose mother gives her up to a stranger in the hope that she will have a better life. But the book also features white and Native American characters who are working in servitude. In this novel Toni Morrison wanted to separate race from slavery.
Listening to Toni Morrison discuss her new novel and read extracts was a breath of fresh air and some consolation to not being able to book a seat to see her at the Southbank Centre on 28th October (tickets sold out fast!).
Toni Morrison is my favourite author although I must admit; she grew on me fairly slowly. Reading her 4th novel Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1988) and Nobel Prize for Literature (1993) and which I have used as a reference when I tutor creative writing classes, was the turning point for me, and I have since read all eight of her previously published novels and yes they aren’t for the fainthearted.
Toni Morrison writes in ways that draw you right into the story; and her use of narrative is woven into articulate and beautiful prose – sometimes you have to re-read a paragraph; sometimes you’re left wondering where you are only to have your questions answered later on in the text – timing is crucial and when you are finally enlightened there is a wonderful light bulb moment.
On Barack Obama, Toni Morrison discussed how globally we are going through crucial times and that Obama’s natural abilities and wisdom will make a much needed difference and that we all need that change; that break from the status quo.
She did state that she knew that amongst the African-Americans within the Civil Rights Movement, there was the fair and somewhat justified issue of doubt as to whether Obama’s position comes from a deserved place/journey because he is not a descendent of slavery and has not directly participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the way that other significant leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King have done.
Toni Morrison’s conclusion was that she thought Obama was the right and best presidential candidate despite his race and his ‘lack’ of racial and ancestral background that may be perceived as non-deserving.
I’m with Toni Morrison on this issue and look forward to joining in much historical and political celebrations on 4th November, as I think it’s time for change and my money’s on Barack Obama to do the job.
Meanwhile, I’m off to purchase my copy of Toni Morrison’s new book…
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