

#1424
Mentioned in 17 episodes
Beloved
Book • 1987
Published in 1987, 'Beloved' is a work of historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of the American Civil War. The novel centers around Sethe, a Black woman who escaped from slavery in Kentucky and now lives in Ohio.
However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery.
The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society.
The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver.
Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery.
However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery.
The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society.
The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver.
Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery.
Mentioned by





















Mentioned in 17 episodes
Mentioned by 

as one of his literary influences.


David Eagleman

805 snips
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Mentioned by 

as an example of an author who uses typology in their work.


Miri Rubin

192 snips
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as a book she was reading.


Dana Perino

141 snips
Dana Perino on Trump’s White House, Fox News, and … Love
Mentioned by 

as an example of a book with a great first line, a Nobel Prize-winning novel.


James Altucher

42 snips
Part 2: How to Write and Publish Your First Book in 30 Days - Frameworks, First Lines, and the Craft of Storytelling
Mentioned by 

as an example of a disciplined writer who prioritizes her work before other obligations.


Ryan Holiday

30 snips
Becoming a More Effective Leader and Decision Maker With Stoicism
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in a discussion about choice plots and agency in literature.

Natasha Joukovsky

29 snips
Natasha Joukovsky — On Recursion, Status Games & Manufactured Nonchalance (EP.268)
Mentioned by 

as an example of a writer who did not have a predecessor when writing Beloved.


Ocean Vuong

27 snips
Ocean Vuong Sees Himself More As A Teacher Than A Writer
Mentioned in a prison visiting room conversation, illustrating the diverse range of authors appreciated by inmates.

27 snips
Reading Dostoevsky Behind Bars (Update)
Mentionné par 

en référence à son livre et au thème du pardon.


Édouard Louis

20 snips
Édouard Louis, comprendre la violence pour la combattre
Recommended by ![undefined]()

.

Joe Budden

11 snips
Episode 843 | "Mothers Baby, Fathers Maybe"
Mentioned by Tracy Wilson as an author who delivered a beautiful tribute to Baldwin at his funeral, which she highly encourages reading.

SYMHC Classics: James Baldwin
Mentioned by Stephanie Studer in relation to the 'Beloved Bill' in Virginia's legislature.

A cut above the West: America’s astounding economy
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a writer whose style and choice of shoes she admires.

Bella Freud

Fashion Neurosis with Zadie Smith
Used as an example of a great writer using specific and concrete details.

Episode 168 - Making our first sentence sparkle.
Recommended by Slaja Blajan, who was intrigued by how much the writer could convey through a ghost.

Sladja Blažan, "Ghosts and Their Hosts: The Colonization of the Invisible World in Early America" (University of Virginia Press, 2025)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

, who describes a positive encounter with her at a luncheon.

Suzanne Rust

The Moth Podcast: Meeting Your Idols
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when comparing DMX's vulnerability to Paul D's suppressed emotions in Beloved.

Roger Reeves

When the Prince of Heaven Sleeps – Roger Reeves
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the introduction, using Morrison's novel to examine the grammars of law and poetics of justice.

Jess A. Goldberg

Jess A. Goldberg, "Abolition Time: Grammars of Law, Poetics of Justice" (U Minnesota Press, 2024)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a starting point for examining the book's central themes.

Jess A. Goldberg

Jess A. Goldberg, "Abolition Time: Grammars of Law, Poetics of Justice" (U Minnesota Press, 2024)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a novel exploring how naming, or lack thereof, can shape our understanding of personal and cultural history.

Brooke McIntire

S3 E22 - The Art of Naming (with Marilyn McEntyre)