Beloved

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Loosely based on a true story, it tells the story of Sethe, an escaped slave, as she tries to build a life for her and her daughter, Denver.

It is realistic fiction based on a true account and was written for ages 16+.

Many school districts have banned it for language, violence, sex and racism.

As the book won a Pulitzer, it is evident that the public opinion is mixed on the topic (Hevesi. 1988).

In speaking about the controversy over Beloved at Gilroy High School in 2003, Denise Appuzo writes, “I know that "Beloved" is shocking and brutal and violent; how could a book about slavery not be? Books, like life, can be scary. We must all learn to accept the truth about books. The simple truth is that exploring great literature is not for the faint of heart” (2003).

Appuzo, D. B. (2003). Will ‘Beloved’ on the GHS reading list start controversy anew? //The Gilroy Dispatch.// Retrieved from [] on June 18, 2012.

Hevesi, D. (1988) Toni Morrison’s novel ‘Beloved’ wins the Pulitzer prize in fiction. //The New York times.// Retrieved form [] on June 18, 2012.