Reviews

Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin

kendallpenn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

noelle_99's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

likecymbeline's review against another edition

4.0

I've intended to read this book since high school at least, as it's one of the early standard-bearers of gay fiction. I knew it would be depressing and ill-fated - it pretty well had to be. But Baldwin is an intelligent, empathetic, and fluid writer with a great grasp of his characters and his intent. It endures as a time-capsule of gay life in Paris and as a story of inevitable tragedy.

pgtipps's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Touches on some LGBTQ themes still relevant today given the time was written. Sad and thought provoking 

tobi_adediran's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars - The bitter irony of the American protagonist coming to Paris to find himself, only to utterly lose himself, really stuck a chord with me. Baldwin's raw and richly emotive writing perfectly captures the anguish and inner turmoil experienced by all the characters grappling with their sexuality in the '50s. It was almost unsettling how Baldwin made these characters seem so alive; their desperation, passion and ugliness jumping off the pages. He portrayed David and Giovanni's tortured love in such a brutal but poignant way, that you're truly invested in the outcome despite the characters being so unlikeable.

1999lauryn's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lilikacanread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

rogerwaterssixthwife's review against another edition

dark 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? Yes

5.0

haunting.
baldwin has a way with words. ive never seen the queer experience so elegantly narrated. 
this book was hard for me because i was a giovanni. to see my situation from the other person's pov was interesting.
i think the room itself was a metaphor for a toxic relationship. ur trapped, you want to get out, but you can't. 
i think the way baldwin characterizes david as being very self conscious of his sexuality is really interesting. he has a lot of internalized homophobia and struggles with the concept of masculinity.
anyways it was just a really beautiful well written book.

anastasiabunch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bellegrant's review against another edition

4.0

sad