The common census on Goodreads.com is either absolutely hate it or absolutely love it, there is no middle ground. There are several reviews in the hatred category that comment on how incredibly complex Beloved, the character, is, to which I strongly agree with. Throughout the novel I found myself mad at the fact that I didn't know what she even was and she didn't even have to be anything because it's just a book. Also many others who said they didn't like Beloved felt that the book was written well, but thought it was boring and just had too many metaphors and hidden meanings. Personally I can see how that is bothersome in a book because so many are use to the metaphors and hidden meanings being in poems rather than novels. There were many that did like the book as well. Positive reviews loved how it showed the impacts of slavery and loved the characters.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6149.Beloved?from_search=true
On Amazon.com the was one review that although wasn't the overwhelming consensus, but it spoke to the recent happens within the world today. The reviewer said that he chose to read this book because he wanted to better understand the perspectives of how African Americans perceive and experience life after the killings of unarmed black men by police officers. This shows how relevant the book can be and how it bring understanding to a wide variety of situations. Overall the reviews on Amazon are a lot more positive with a lot more love for how Toni Morrison wrote Beloved. These reviewers love all the unanswered questions that are posed throughout the book and all the ethical dilemmas that Sethe is faced with. I can see why people do like the sense of mystery and wondering about the unanswered questions, but I just can't agree. Words do not describe how bad I want to know what the heck Beloved is.
https://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Toni-Morrison/dp/1400033411/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493071740&sr=1-1&keywords=beloved+toni+morrison
Barnes & Nobel had many positive reviews as well, but a lot of them noted how comprehensive this book is and that it takes time to completely understand the book and characters. A review that really resonates with me is from someone who first read it in college and then reread it some time later. In this very moment I don't really like Beloved it takes so much brain power to keep track of what's going on and is the past being talked about or who's talking. The reviewer mentions that there is a lot of historical background that helps with understanding. If the book and the historical moments where taught simultaneously I think the book would have more meaning and it would reinforce the historical moments that can be seen within the book. Overall, Barnes & Nobel had good reviews of the novel.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/beloved-toni-morrison/1001875673?ean=9781400033416
