Professor Cannon Discusses Toni Morrison's 'Song of Solomon'

BOOKS OF SOME SUBSTANCE -- For Books of Some Substance’s 25th episode, Nick is joined by San Francisco State American literature Professor Sarita Cannon to discuss Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon.

Cannon refers to Morrison’s use of her books to replace the oral storytelling tradition in African and African American communities.

“Throughout all her 11 novels, she incorporates song, rhyme, music, poetry,” Cannon says. “And in this novel in particular, as this title suggests, there is musicality not just in the lyricism of the prose, but also in terms of the song lyrics that are included throughout the novel. These song lyrics serve as clues to [protagonist] Milkman on his search for identity.”