Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: 2006-06-01
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Label: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Number Of Pages: 256
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Editorial Review
One of the most important works of twentieth-century American literature, Zora Neale Hurston's beloved 1937 classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is an enduring Southern love story sparkling with wit, beauty, and heartfelt wisdom. Told in the captivating voice of a woman who refuses to live in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, it is the story of fair-skinned, fiercely independent Janie Crawford, and her evolving selfhood through three marriages and a life marked by poverty, trials, and purpose. A true literary wonder, Hurston's masterwork remains as relevant and affecting today as when it was first published -- perhaps the most widely read and highly regarded novel in the entire canon of African American literature.
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Customer Reviews
Zora's Masterpiece! 
2008-05-13
Zora Neale Hurston will probably be remembered best as the author of this novel. She writes in dialogue or dialect in the South especially to help establish the realism and relationships between the characters. This book is about Janie Crawford, the granddaughter of Nanny Crawford (who was a former slave who had a child with her white master known as Leafy). Nanny wisely leaves the plantation with her baby. She raises Leafy who gets raped by her teacher and gives birth to Janie. Leafy abandons her baby daughter in the care of her grandmother who raised her with other children. It wasn't until 6 that Janie realized that she was different from the children that her grandmother cared for. Janie realized that she was black or African American. Until then, she was just one of the kids. As an adult, she yearns for love from a man. She is married off to an old farmer, Logan Killicks. She leaves him for Joe Stark and finally there was Teacake Magee, the love of her life. This book is a classic. In order to teach it, I would recommend the movie with Halle Berry and the audio version with Ruby Dee who also played Nanny in the television film version. The audio helps bring alive the rich dialect that Zora recreated to help establish the realism of life in the South during the 1930s and Great Depression.
Their Eyes Were Watching Janie 
2008-05-10
In this charming tale of one woman's experience with love set in small closely knit African American Southern communities we are introduced to the life and culture of American blacks in the 1930's. The author who is also an anthropologist tells the tale in the heavy black dialect that was so prevelent in small rural southern towns. The author's technique in using the vernacular created a rich atmosphere and back drop for Janie's experiences with love and spiritual growth. I gave the book 4 stars, because understanding the dialect was challenging for me. A reader more familiar with the dialect would have an easier time with the story. However, interspersed with the dialect came crisp clear and charming images narrated in the author's own articulate voice. Some of the images are simply charming. One example is the following: "The spirit of the marriage left the bedroom and took to living in the parlor. It was there to shake hands whenever company came to visit, but it never went inside the bedroom again." (pg.71) "She took careful stock of herself,then combed her hair and tied it back up again. Then she starched and ironed her face, forming it into just what people wanted to see.
In the end Janie has triumphantly broadened her horizens and possiblites. This has brought her peace.
my opinion on Their Eyes Were Watching God 2008-03-28
In the story, the title is used as a phrase when the hurricane occurs. I believe that the God whom Janie and Tea Cake watch stands as a compassionate God who encourages them to discover both the painful and joyous aspects of love, both of which can lead to self-discovery, forgiveness and redemption. In my perception, this God has such a capacity for love and magnanimity that it defies gender.
However, the God of the first two husbands (Logan Killicks and Jody Starks) is definitely a patriarchal figure who imparts undeserved punishments.
I don't interpret any of the characters questioning God but I do believe they maintain a curiosity about Him. They watch to discover who He is, they watch to catch a glimpse of His power, they watch to receive a unending stream of His love.
Just as we do.
Great! 2008-03-26
I recieved my book right on time and it was in great shape! I paid much cheaper then I would have if I had bought in in the store. The book was also a great read too. I'm very pleased with my shopping experience.
While other eyes were watching her 2008-02-24
What more can be said for any item that already has almost 400 reviews? If I can bring anything which others may not, it's a tie to the music. Having always loved Ring Games & Round Dances 2: Bahamas 1935 (a cd of field recordings by John Lomax and his local connections of the day) and noticed Ms. Hurston's small role in the liner notes mentioning seeing some of these dances and hearing some of this music herself, when Janie Mae Woods mentions being pushed away from the "rings plays" I felt I had an extra pass key into this world which is so vividly described by Ms. Hurston. I also felt I had another point of entry into the feelings of the ostracized Bahamian workers mentioned later in the book. I've heard the music Janie and Tea Cake were experiencing. I've moved to those same rhythms.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is more than I'd hoped, though I didn't know what I was expecting. Maybe 70% into the book I felt I'd begun to understand to what the title was referring, though it turns out I was wrong... maybe. I still think I was also right, though in a less literal sense. Partly self discovery, but mainly it's about freedom.
As much of a character-driven page-turner as it is, it's also invaluable as a snapshot of a USA that no one should have had to endure. There's no melodrama or sentimentality though. It struck me as being a purely honest look into a life as Zora knew it. I also think the book has taken on a new life now that we've all seen Hurricane Katrina.
Their Eyes is a remarkable achievement and deserves all the hype it has received in the years since Alice Walker and others have brought Zora Neale Hurston back into the public eye. I sense some of the same strength in her as I do in Directed by Desire: The Collected Poems of June Jordan.
"Lovely" 2008-07-11
I personally enjoyed the use of dialect. I read some of the book aloud to my daughter which is a good way to experience the beauty of their speak. All good books show you things you could never see and enlighten your mind to ways that were unknown. So that when we are done reading their gift stays with us.
prompt delivery 2008-06-19
The book I purchased was in the condition stated, was a very good deal, and was delivered quickly. I am completely satisfied with the service and product.
Their Eyes Were Watching God 2008-06-06
I liked this book. I would laugh and cry reading it, the movie is good, too. Haly Berry is in the movie and I love her movies. You cannot not go wrong getting both the book or seeing the movie.
Their Eyes Were Watching God 2008-05-31
This book is an incredible story of a mulatto woman's amazing journey through life and the journey to discover who she is. Touching and well written, this story is a great read for literary folks interested in modernism.
Awesome book! 2008-05-30
This book arrived right on time. It was in excellent condition. I really enjoyed the story.
