Morrison's books have been critical to my development as a reader, a thinker, and social justice advocate for almost fifty years. I got hooked - as did many - by Song of Solomon (1977). Almost alone among contemporary authors, I've read many of her books twice. Tar Baby (1981)? Three times. She always challenges me and never lets me down. Which author's work has had a similar effect on you?
Before beginning this brief valentine to her, I decided to use Blogger's search engine to see how many times I've gushed about Morrison since the inception of my blog in March 2011. Although the number of mentions was fewer than I would've guessed, I was pleasantly surprised by two of my posts. The fitting title of the more recent - My Debt to a Great Writer - made me happy. That tribute was published two days after Morrison's death in May of 2019. The older one - published in 2012 - was gratifying for a different reason. After finishing Home, thirteen + years from first placing her, Toni Morrison's slot as a forward on my all-star basketball team of novelists remains secure. Which author has enchanted you for that long?
p.s. When (not if), I finish Love (2003) and A Mercy (2008) - the remaining two novels in Morrison's oeuvre I still haven't read - look for a post in my completism series.
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