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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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Among the Most Influential African-American Novels of the 20th Century

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In Their Eyes Were Watching God, middle-aged narrator Janie Crawford tells the story of her life to date. Janie was raised by her former-slave grandmother, who pushed Janie into a life of quiet conventionality as a farmer's wife. Unsatisfied, however, when a man with big dreams comes along, Janie flees. Despite the promises she was given, Janie is again pushed into a life of quiet, albeit more comfortable, conventionality as the wife of a small town shopowner and mayor. When her second husband dies, Janie is left self-sufficient and free to choose the direction of her life. She decides to marry a drifter named Tea Cake for love. With Tea Cake she leaves the town that made her wealthy and heads to Florida. Here she lives a happy and almost pastoral life as a field worker until fate deals her a devastating blow. Their Eyes Were Watching God is among the most influential African American novels of the 20th century. Though not uncontroversial, the novel deserves its plaudits. Zora Neale Hurston powerfully examines the self-realization of an increasingly free black woman, and the societal, both black and white, reaction to her and her choices. Both profoundly tragic and encouraging, the novel announces African-American literature's independence and a new black vigor to 1930's America - a time and literature whose importance to the civil rights movement has often been underrated. Some readers may find Hurston's use of dialect off-putting or confusing.

Dreamy little novel

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I still think fondly of this book, all the way back to high school. This is one of those incredible literary experiences that stays with you whether you loved it or hated it, and frankly I quite liked it. The writing is deep, descriptive, and powerful, focused so much on the world around, nature. The story, however, is deeply personal and rather feminist, that of a girl who is simply trying to be herself and find out who she is. This leads to various bad marriages until she finds her true love. Throughout is thought-provoking words on nature, mankind, and the role of women in society. It's heartbreaking, but also powerful and poignant.

Complete garbage...don't waste your time

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This book sucked. Richard Wright was correct when he stated that Zora Neale Hurston pandered to white prejudiced readers. The way Hurston's black characters speak in this book portrays African Americans as stupid, easily fooled, and naive. The story was boring, pointless, and poorly written. The book, in short, was unbelievably bad, and if it weren't for I school assignment, I wouldn't have wasted time and money reading this bilge.

An Amazing Book

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There's a good chance you're buying this book because it's assigned reading for a class. Go into that classroom and THANK YOUR TEACHER. I didn't read this book in school. I stumbled upon when I was done with school. I bought it because I thought the title was interesting. What I found inside this book stunned me. The voice is so strong you can feel it in your heart. The writing is beautiful. The story will shake you. Enjoy!

Their Eyes Were Watching God	Customer Rating:
Please read this book! I'm serious! The writing is pure poetry, with fantastic images that will stay with me forever. Also, the historical value cannot be exaggerated. The author, Nora Neale Hurston, gave us a tremendous gift.