I’d say this book does justice to its principle message... demonstrating the devastating and disgusting reality that young black girls experience when it comes to beauty (especially given the time period). The message is still important today as white, blue-eyed, pristine beauty is constantly forced upon society as the ideal. The only part of the book that seemed excessive or unnecessary was the delving into of the character Soaphead Church... a disturbed pervert who for me didn’t add much to the plot or message. Not a comfortable read, but that’s precisely the point, as Morrison explains she wants the readers to judge themselves and see how they contribute to the very problem the book unveils.