grocerystore's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- One of the most unpleasant protagonists I’ve ever encountered, but I’d have to admit his internal complexes (?) regarding his queerness were beautifully, painfully, explored + REALLY good contemplative retrospection. David was unlikable to say the least, but I believe that was intentional on Baldwin’s part— he’s a ‘representative’ of Americanness after all, a recurring theme of cultural/ national identity (and if someone can truly detach themself from it) that Baldwin makes sure to drive into the reader’s head. David hates that he is an American; he associates his American identity with repression because he is not a free man in America, at least in terms of how expressive & openly queer he can be— still not a free man in Paris, but definitely freer; free enough for him to visit gay bars at least. But at the same time he can’t quite actually run from that aspect of his identity, no matter the physical distance he’s put between himself and America. This quote sums it up: ““And I resented this, resented being called an American (and resented resenting it) because it seemed to make me nothing more than that, whatever that was; and I resented being called not an American because it seemed to make me nothing.” So this whole mess of ‘what even am i and should i categorize myself thereby reducing ME to said identity solely or should i just not bother with labels thereby making myself an outsider and not part of any culture/ community that could help me’ is not limited to his sexual identity but applies to his national identity as well.
- What I’m trying to say is- David is Baldwin’s vision of (white) American queer masculinity. Torn from the inside and constantly at war with his culture yet relishing in it when it benefits him, harboring a secret superiority complex that he hasn’t quite managed to realize exists within him yet, much less deconstruct. And Giovanni notices it!!! (re: that conversation about how, if David were to come across him in Italy, he’d just pass through with a meaningless, ‘American’ smile because “you will have no idea of the life there, dripping and bursting and beautiful and terrible, just as you have no idea of my life now.”) David was unlikable but one of the most well-written & nuanced characters I've ever had the pleasure to come across.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Police brutality
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