Very hard to get into at first. However, I think it depends on the individual's taste. I agree with previous posts, the dialect is not user friendly but appropiate for the setting of the book. I think I found it a little easier because at the time I was taking a history course that covered this same period of time.I was not use to several different people telling a story. the book seemed to float around which at times was very confusing. I love other Toni Morrision novels, but this one was not one of my favorites.