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amalas_bookstop's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ughhh! Books like this make me so frustrated in their realness. Even though I knew exactly where this was headed I could not help myself to feel hopeful and expect something different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
kypo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of the most human stories I’ve ever read. It’s hard to read at times because of the pain the characters go through but the depth of emotion that Baldwin evokes is worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexual violence
Minor: Rape
jevette15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape
riveralley's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
kproc381's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A heartbreaking tail of what racial injustice was like in the 1970’s for Black Americans. While the injustice happens to one specific character the story clearly explains how this act of injustice towards a person hurts their spouse, parents, friends, and community as a whole. The injustice of one is an injustice for all.
While explanations and the experiences of the woman in the story are very clearly written by a man, I think this is an accurate portray of what real people suffered from. I also appreciated how complex and imperfect the characters were, it made them more real and human.
While explanations and the experiences of the woman in the story are very clearly written by a man, I think this is an accurate portray of what real people suffered from. I also appreciated how complex and imperfect the characters were, it made them more real and human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Rape
wesbian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
beautiful love story that not only encapsulates the romance between a young couple but also familial love and how a communtiy processes a tragedy. i enjoy baldwin's writing very much but take issue with the slight misogyny, if not for that, a higher rating would be deserved
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Rape
trixi3's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Rape
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If Beale Street Could Talk is a novel that follows the two protagonists, Fonny, a young man who is currently in jail for rape, and his girlfriend, Tish, who finds out that she is pregnant while Fonny is serving his sentence. The book mainly follows Tish as she and her family attempt to get Fonny out of jail.
The book is a romance novel through and through. The love that Tish has for Fonny and vice versa is constantly put on display.
The book is a romance novel through and through. The love that Tish has for Fonny and vice versa is constantly put on display.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
bookish_skies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape
mistermeek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault