Two girls meet and live together for a few months in an orphanage before returning to their families. Over the course of their lives, their paths cross again and again. One of these girls is black, the other is white, though the reader never learns which is which.
Originally published in 1983, Recitatif is Morrison's only short story. But wow, could she pack a punch in that one story, which has such a simple premise that it's profound. It forces the reader to confront our own assumptions, as well as the way in which race plays a part in both society at large and in individual relationships. The story itself accounts for less than half of the page count mentioned above, which is why I noted the lengthy introduction by Smith. If you haven't read Recitatif before, I'd recommend flipping to the back and reading the story first, then checking out the introduction, which provides a deep analysis of the story and Morrison's writing. If you have read the story, proceed normally through the book. Either way, read the story, as it's one that simply cannot be missed. Wow.
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