Beloved was a reread for me this year and I still can't believe that a book this incredible exists in the world for us to consume whenever we'd like. There's a reason this is one of the few canonical stories that I would keep: no edits, no changes, no substitutions. I will always fight on the side of calling Beloved not just "a" but "the" great American novel.

While it can be an exceptionally difficult book to get through, it is well worth it. Approach with caution if you have sensitivities as it will burrow into your soul and won't leave for a while.