Understanding Toni Morrison's Beloved and Sula

Book excerpt: Toni Morrison's "Beloved" is probably the most widely studied work of contemporary fiction, both in the United States and abroad. The novel appeals to readers across various disciplines; as such, it is now required reading in courses in English and American literature, feminist and multicultural critiscism, and American history in universities and colleges around the world. The novel's universal appeal, with its unique structure and compelling story, has made it the subject of numerous scholarly essays published in reference journals. To make the best of these essays more accessible to university students, this book offers a volume of selected essays with a criticial introduction and annotated bibliography.