Their Eyes Were Watching God

Oh, this book. I’ve read it twice now and I think the second reading is even better than the first. Granted, the first time I was reading it I was reading about three novels a week (not to mention chapters in textbooks and various other assignments) in college, and I blasted through it as quickly as possible simply because there wasn’t enough time in the day. Now, I got to savor it. And that’s what should be done with this text. Like any good folk or artistic tale, it’s best taken on the slow and low setting for true enjoyment. Zora Neale Hurston’s amazing book, apparently written in a fit abroad over the course of six weeks, was not well received. At the time, American Black writers were not writing in the vernacular of their people. Many culturally beautiful concepts were exempted from texts, as well, to save face from White readers. Of course, that often meant that it wasn’t quite true to life. Zora took the plunge, wrote her dialogue in what I would consider an almost perfect pronunciation vernacular, and blended it triumphantly with the more traditional ways of writing while never shying from the way things were done in the Black American south. She was labeled a racist. Her incredible book, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was not well received. And, personally, considering the way her life petered out at the end, I think she took it very hard, especially because this book was fairly close to her heart. Although it is not based on her life, Zora had experienced much of what Janie, the protagonist, goes through. Her home of Eatonville was Zora’s home. The surrounding Everglades were well known to Zora, and Zora, herself, was frequently a woman above: refusing to allow her life to be dictated by the opposite sex. Zora had divorced several times, found the love of her life who nobody in her familial and friend circle would truly accept, and who tragically would not stay with her due to extreme circumstances. All of his is reflected quite heavily upon the goings on of Janie and her decisions on how to live her life. You see, Janie doesn’t truly settle in a world that says she should. Some people might call her a flake, but she wants to savor life, much like a good story. The whole tale is told from Janie’s perspective to her friend Phoeby when Janie returns to Eatonville after some time being away from the all Black community she had helped, to a small extent, to found and become successful with her late husband. Her whole story is as heartbreaking as a song and as beautifully written as a poem. It has a breath, a life to it, that Hurston’s writing demands in all of her works. This one in particular, for being so feverishly written, and so lovingly tragic stands now as a triumphant story. Alice Walker, in fact, helped to bring it back into the spotlight, sadly, well after Zora had passed. A highly recommended, culturally stunning, masterpiece for Black readers and for all of those, regardless of race, who dare to live their life how they intend.

Can’t recommend this highly enough - not always an easy read, but filled with humanity like few books I’ve read.

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, is a powerful read for all. It teaches both men and women, adults and children, the power of respect, equality, love, and freedom, especially for women. This book is a solid 4 out of 5 and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great story, that is not overwhelming to read. In my opinion, the book starts slow and is sometimes difficult to read on, however don’t give up on it. About a quarter of the way through, my eyes were glued to this book. I felt a connection to Janie and I wanted to see how her life panned out. When I reached the final few pages, I was actually sad it was over (which shocked me because I was so bored in the beginning). This book originally grabbed my attention because it was narrated by a strong female character. Janie is a fair-skinned African American woman who grew up in poverty with her traditional grandmother, Nanny. Stuck in the time before “equality” existed, Nanny wanted Janie to live a life of leisure, something she was unable to have. She married Janie off to Logan Killicks at a very young age. Janie then left Logan to venture to a new town with Joe Starks who offered her a grandiose and comfortable life, where she didn’t have to work and he could show her off. In a naive way, she believed that Joe loved her and wanted nothing but the best for her, however as he became more obsessed with his store and his town, she became more oppressed by his harsh words and head kerchiefs he forced her to wear. As Janie moves onto her third marriage to Tea Cake, she finally finds the relationship she is looking for. She knew “he could be a bee to a blossom--- a pear tree blossom in the spring.” This was something she dreamed of, having a relationship wear she could lay under a pear tree and simply be in love. This book sends a powerful message about the importance of an equal relationship. Janie is oppressed by Logan and Joe, leaving her sad and lonely. When Tea Cake comes along and takes her to picnics, hunting or fishing, and teaches her to drive she realizes what she has been missing for years. He even chopped down a tree she didn’t like, along with “all those signs of possession” in Joe Stark’s house. Despite the strong relationship they have, Tea Cake still has control over Janie. He takes her money and goes off spending it without her permission, but she can’t say anything about it. This made me very angry. He also whips her when she talks to another man, though nothing was going on between them. He believes that “being able to whip her reassured him in possession.” She doesn’t let these things affect her because she loves Tea Cake and believes God is working in her life. When she comes to terms with this, she finally finds peace. At the end of the novel, when she is completely free of all relationships and ties to people, Janie is truly a happy woman. She is described pulling in “her horizon like a great fish-net” and “calling in her soul to come and see” the life in its meshes. At this moment her life is fulfilled. This book hit all emotions. I was sad and felt empathy for Janie, I was happy, and I was angry beyond belief. Sometimes I laughed, while other times I wanted to tell one of the characters off. This story that Hurston created is so relatable that I felt aspects of Janie’s life in my own, even without the many years of experience she had. I truly believe that I could go back and read this book in a couple of years and learn a whole slew of new lessons.

I found this as a first listen great and there could not have been a better narrator than Mrs. Ruby Dee! I loved listening from beginning to end. Wonderful, I don’t believe I would have enjoyed “Their Eyes Were Watching God” as much if I read it the traditional way. I would never have gotten the accents correct. It was great!

Oh my goodness I read this because it’s Black American Classic. I’ve heard it described as one of the great American novels and that title is earned. I can’t believe how many saying from that era are still said in the south today! The narrator in audiobook sounds like my great aunt! This was like looking back in time. So many of the same attitudes still permeate our society when it comes to Black people in our relationship with ourselves in our community and with women when it comes to marriage. Janie went through so many things I couldn’t even imagine. But I’m so glad that she finally got to live for herself and that she was loved. This book is a classic for a reason. I would highly recommend reading it. It still holds up! 5/5 stars 100%

Why did it take me so long to read this beautiful book? It also took me too long to write this review because I finished this book about a month ago. During this time, I have not forgotten Janie or Tea Cake. They are characters that will stay with me. The story is Janie’s, her journey through life and towards happiness. Written decades ago, it feels timeless. The writing is seamless. Not a spare word, but at the same time there were stunningly vivid descriptions of people and places that brought out every sense. My dad, an avid reader and writer, has always said that the most talented authors can say it all in fewer words, and that she does, writing with intention and purpose. I did not find the dialect hard to read, perhaps because I live in the south, but also it is consistent throughout, and it added so much to the authenticity of time and place in the story. As I mentioned above, Janie is very much on a journey. The first chapter foreshadows that she’s been on a journey that’s not gone well, and she’s now home. For the entire book, I thought I knew what that journey may have been, how it went with Tea Cake, and I was entirely wrong. I loved every bit of that because the journey was a complete surprise to me. Through a series of marriages, she finds her true love, and through him, love for herself. I have to mention the hurricane Janie and Tea Cake experience. Having lived through several myself, I never had to experience on literally on the ground, on foot, running to escape the winds and rising waters. I felt like I was alongside them as they make their treacherous escape. One of the biggest messages in the story is that people are complex and imperfect. You can love a person and not love everything they do. When characters are drawn this way, as they are in this book, they become living, breathing real people, and that’s exactly how I felt the entire time I read this book. I’m disappointed with myself that I didn’t write this review sooner after reading because I think my feelings would have flowed better. If this is a classic you haven’t read, it’s more than worth the read. Between the spare writing and shorter length, it’s a quick read, too. As many of you know, I hardly ever re-read, but this is one I will re-visit because I know I will get even more out of it the next time. As it is, I highlighted dozens of beautiful passages. Zora Neale Hurston was an immensely talented writer, and this book was not given the recognition it deserved during her lifetime. I look forward to exploring her other works.

not my cup of tea but it is a good read

The best part is its unique language and storytelling style. The author draws you in with a voice that feels both fresh and intentional, keeping you curious about what might unfold next. It’s a slower read — not because it lacks momentum, but because the writing is rich enough to savor. That depth is exactly what makes the experience powerful, intriguing, and genuinely worth the time. 5-star worthy!

A remarkable book from a member of the Harlem Renaissance. The book describes the life of a woman and her marriages with her desperate search for a satisfying relationship. The book was particularly interesting in its description of life in Central Florida and the Lake Okeechobee area in the early 1900s with a dramatic description of the 1928 hurricane that caused so much flooding and loss of life.

Incredible novel with such depth and beautiful prosody. The timelessness of the themes are so universal, yet the era of writing and setting are completely foreign to me … making an enthralling read.

It's amazing novel.

Worth reading this. So emotional and heart-wrenching...a journey of self-discovery, love, and independence. The prose sings with rhythm and wisdom, turning everyday life into something almost mythic. I was surprised by how alive Janie’s voice felt...fierce, funny, and heartbreakingly real. It’s one of those rare books that feels both timeless and freshly alive every time you read it.

yea