Toni Morrison: A Teaching and Learning Resource Collection

Reception Histories

These pages aim to give a sampling of the major reviews of Morrison's works by book reviewers at the time of publication. We have been looking mainly at reviews published in mainstream venues like the New York Times or the New Yorker, though we have also been exploring reviews in less visible venues, including in Black newspapers and the Black press. 

Where possible, we are linking back to the original review while giving a summary of the major points made by individual reviewers. 

The goal is to help readers of Morrison's works have a sense of how they were perceived immediately after publication. The responses, especially to Morrison's earliest novels, might be surprising to readers today who might assume that Morrison's works are widely, if not universally, appreciated. 

Click on the links below to read reception histories for each of Morrison's novels. (In progress as of July, 2021)

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