Reviews

Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone by James Baldwin

marc129's review against another edition

For 30 pages, James Baldwin had me hooked: the description of actor Leo Proudhammer's heart attack, on stage, - told in his own words -, and what happens immediately after, is haunting and intriguing. But then a series of flashbacks starts that gradually clarify who Leo actually is and what has colored his life until then. Leo is an African American (raised in Harlem and scarred by poverty, segregation and discrimination) and, apparantly, he had an on-and-off relationship with Barbara, a privileged white person. After 100 pages Jerry appears in the story, also white, and clearly gay. But then the book has already degenerated into a succession of scenes, set in the actor's milieu, endless dialogues with no apparent connecting thread, and a Leo who is constantly analyzing himself.

I must confess that I gave up just before half way (so I won’t rate this). Baldwin had a superior style, no doubt, the social issues he addressed are highly relevant, and the evocation of how a special person (Leo in this case) deals with feelings and situations is intriguing. But in this book, he's drowned the storyline in too much meandering dialogues, mixed with introspection, like in an elongated, theatrical setting. No, this didn't resonate. I guess it's my bad, because I really love his [b:Go Tell It on the Mountain|17143|Go Tell It on the Mountain|James Baldwin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348424233l/17143._SY75_.jpg|1027995] and [b:Giovanni's Room|38462|Giovanni's Room|James Baldwin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1501485157l/38462._SY75_.jpg|814207].

snp46's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.5

jason_bruhvilez's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

lectriceye__'s review against another edition

4.0

3,5
me ha costado horrores leerlo porque está escrito como una divagación muy larga y yo necesito capitulitos bien estructurados para que me resulte fluido, pero me ha sorprendido lo atemporal y contemporáneo que se lee. el tema muy interesante y me ha encantado la pluma de baldwin. ya leeré más cositas suyas.

geo_07's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Racism

Moderate: Biphobia

oskarbrundin's review against another edition

5.0

This might very well be my favourite Baldwin novel. It writes earnestly about race but also about love, with all the hardships that bring. Baldwin succeeded in making me care deeply for Leo, the protagonist. As for the prose, it never left me wanting for more.

“Everyone wishes to be loved, but in the event, nearly no one can bear it. Everyone desires love but also finds it impossible to believe that he deserves it.”

_anastasiadavis's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

sam_alex04's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.75

owenwanless's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

bellasgonemissing's review against another edition

5.0

i do think baldwin is possibly the greatest novelist of all time. this isn't even my favourite of his but still a pretty much perfect book.