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Cover of Beloved
Literary Fiction· United States

Beloved

by Toni Morrison
Aggregate Editorial Score85/100
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Published 1993321 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Beloved (1993) by Toni Morrison continues to receive. A former enslaved woman in post–Civil War Ohio is haunted by the ghost of her infant daughter in this devastating and transcendent novel. Morrison weaves together trauma, memory, and love in prose that is both lyrical and devastating. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and foundational to Morrison's Nobel Prize, Beloved is a landmark of American literature. Themes of slavery, trauma, memory run through the work. The book has received recognition from Nobel Prize in Literature 1993 and TIME 100 Best Novels 1987.

Book Details

AuthorToni Morrison
Published1993
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages321
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781400033416
Editorial Score85/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1993, Toni Morrison's Beloved is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with slavery, trauma, memory, motherhood gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Nobel Prize in Literature 1993; TIME 100 Best Novels 1987. Its aggregate editorial score of 85/100 reflects recognition from 2 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. Readers coming to Beloved for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of slavery, trauma, memory, motherhood is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United States's literary landscape, Toni Morrison occupies a significant position. Beloved is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Nobel Prize in Literature
winner · global
199367
TIME 100 Best Novels
list · global
198721
✍️
About the Author
Toni Morrison
United States
View Author →

Toni Morrison is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beloved about?

A former enslaved woman in post–Civil War Ohio is haunted by the ghost of her infant daughter in this devastating and transcendent novel. Morrison weaves together trauma, memory, and love in prose that is both lyrical and devastating. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and foundational to Morrison's Nobel Prize, Beloved is a landmark of American literature.

Who wrote Beloved?

Beloved was written by Toni Morrison, from United States. First published in 1993.

What awards has Beloved won?

Beloved has received the following awards and honours: Nobel Prize in Literature 1993; TIME 100 Best Novels 1987.

Is Beloved worth reading?

Beloved is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 85/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in slavery, trauma, memory.

Where can I buy Beloved?

You can buy Beloved on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Beloved?

Beloved is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Beloved from?

Beloved originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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