This was one of the books on my list of "Books I ought to read one day." I'm glad I did but it is one depressing read. Essentially it is a book about racism, incest, abuse, pedophilia, poverty, and self hatred. At the center of the story is young girl who has been a victim of all of it her entire life. Pecola Breedlove prays for her eyes to turn blue so she can be pretty and loved like all the blue-eyed, blonde haired children. In spite of the content of the book, Morrison's first, is beautifully written with lush descriptive prose. An afterward by the author written 30 years after the original publication elaborates on the topic of people of color judging themselves and others according to a standard of white beauty and how they historically looked down on their non-white physical features. It is well worth reading if you can stand the bleak story.
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