Their Eyes Were Watching God

No book report is needed after listening to this powerful Black feminist classic.

Zora Neale Hurston

- 4.4 • 307 Ratings

- $14.99

- $14.99

“A deeply soulful novel that comprehends love and cruelty, and separates the big people from the small of heart, without ever losing sympathy for those unfortunates who don’t know how to live properly.” —Zadie Smith

One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years—due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its strong black female protagonist—Hurston’s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature. The audio is performed by the legendary Ruby Dee.

APPLE BOOKS REVIEW

The search for real, true love is a never-ending quest in this powerful and important coming-of-age tale. Janie Crawford is a confident, middle-aged Black woman living in the South in the early 20th century. We listen as she navigates three turbulent and traumatic marriages during a 25-year search for financial and emotional independence—all while facing constant misogyny and racism. We were swept up in the exquisite metaphors and images that Zora Neale Hurston sprinkles through this evocative story, from a blossoming pear tree to a mule on the distant horizon. Actress Ruby Dee delivers an impeccable performance, perfectly capturing the book’s poetic prose and sweet Southern dialects. We even skipped back to replay some of the most stunningly beautiful lines. A wonderfully lyrical tale of self-discovery, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a captivating novel about imperfect, passionate love.

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