'Beloved' is a tough, but worthwhile, read.

The novel is set in Cincinnati shortly after the Civil War. It follows Sethe, a formerly escaped slave, and the remains of her family as they grapple with the trauma of a lifetime of brutal subjugation. It moves back and forth in time, illuminating Sethe's backstory while drawing us into the mystery of Beloved, a newcomer who ingratiates herself to Sethe and settles in with Sethe's family.

This is a tough read because it takes the reader on an eye-and-heart level journey through the horror of slavery, from subtle dehumanization under a "good" master to outright brutality under sexual sadists, and even through the casual racism of white allies. This is the kind of novel that hits you, then hits you again, then hits you again. But it isn't misery porn. First, because Morrison's writing itself is so extraordinarily fine that the novel offers a beauty independent of its plot. Second, because Morrison's writing is in service to greater truths than, "Look how many bad things I can pile on top of these people."

In short, 'Beloved' may not be the most pleasant use of one's reading time. However, the resolute reader will find it worth the effort.