Literary
Sula
Two Black women grow up as close friends in the Bottom, a hillside neighbourhood in Ohio. Their lives split apart when Sula leaves town for years and then returns, upsetting the community's ideas of right and wrong.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1973
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 198
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like compact, lyrical novels about female friendship, community and moral ambiguity.
Skip this if you want a clear plot with tidy resolutions and characters who are easy to like.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Sula
- What is Sula about?
- Two Black women grow up as close friends in the Bottom, a hillside neighbourhood in Ohio. Their lives split apart when Sula leaves town for years and then returns, upsetting the community's ideas of right and wrong.
- Who should read Sula?
- Read it if you like compact, lyrical novels about female friendship, community and moral ambiguity. Skip it if you want a clear plot with tidy resolutions and characters who are easy to like.
- How long and how fast is Sula?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 198 pages, first published in 1973.
- Does Sula have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Prejudice, Racism.
- Can I borrow Sula for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Sula; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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