Super Short Summary

Paradise by Toni Morrison tells the multigenerational story of Ruby, an isolated all-Black town in Oklahoma, and its troubled relationship with a nearby Convent housing five women. Ruby's elders, haunted by the town's past and intergenerational conflicts, see the women as threats to their values. The novel explores themes of love, hatred, and the extreme measures people take to protect their perceived paradise. The narrative highlights gender tensions, organized religion versus spirituality, and the quest for personal fulfillment. Topics include sexual assault, self-harm, abortion, and gun violence.