ezreading's review
4.0
Read in bits and pieces, but every time I wasn't reading I still felt very much in it - seems to be a very Baldwin thing
Again, the discussion of identity, in terms of race and sexuality was sharp, honest and personal - where and who we turn to to feel at home
Slippery friendships that feel at once incredibly intimate and so lonely I don't know if I want that kind of dynamic or fear it
“Pleasure, as it turned out, was not simple” p. 135
“Both clung to a fantasy rather than to each other, tried to suck pleasure from the crannies of the mind, rather than surrender the secrets of the body.” p. 134
“Terrifying , that the loss of intimacy with one person results in the freezing over of the world, and the loss of oneself! And terrifying that the terms of love are so rigorous, its checks and liberties so tightly bound together.” 355
“They were two independent people, who needed each other for a time, who would always be friends, but who, probably, would not always be lovers. Such a premise forbids the intrusion of the future, or too vivid an exhibition of need.” p. 355
Again, the discussion of identity, in terms of race and sexuality was sharp, honest and personal - where and who we turn to to feel at home
Slippery friendships that feel at once incredibly intimate and so lonely I don't know if I want that kind of dynamic or fear it
“Pleasure, as it turned out, was not simple” p. 135
“Both clung to a fantasy rather than to each other, tried to suck pleasure from the crannies of the mind, rather than surrender the secrets of the body.” p. 134
“Terrifying , that the loss of intimacy with one person results in the freezing over of the world, and the loss of oneself! And terrifying that the terms of love are so rigorous, its checks and liberties so tightly bound together.” 355
“They were two independent people, who needed each other for a time, who would always be friends, but who, probably, would not always be lovers. Such a premise forbids the intrusion of the future, or too vivid an exhibition of need.” p. 355
thedocument's review
4.0
Beautiful, poetic, cathartic novel about some of the most miserable, selfish, hypocritical people in NYC
neenor's review
4.0
I completely devoured this novel. From the first couple of pages, I could tell that I was getting into something good - and Baldwin does not disappoint.
Another Country is a very important book, set in a harsh environment during a period of high racial tension. There is foul language and gruesome acts, yet reading it almost 60 (!!) years after it was written somehow puts it into perspective, and kind of makes it less shocking? You start the book knowing that it is a tough world, so when the characters go through horrible experiences, you almost blindly accept it; you truly get the feeling that this is their reality.
The main thing I noticed about this book is the way that Baldwin created his characters. Each character is enormously flawed and easily dislikable, and reading from the perspective of a modern day feminist, some of the acts of Rufus and Vivaldo are utterly horrifying - yet despite these actions, I really felt for them. What I shared in my book group is that I think I sympathised with them because they were redeemed in the eyes of the other characters. For example, Rufus came off as an arrogant, chauvinistic pig - yet through the eyes of Ida, who worshipped the ground he walked on, you saw a gentle, protective older brother who would do anything for you. The way Baldwin wrote this and the way it affected my feelings towards the characters really interested me, as I am very character-driven in what I read. I wonder if I would have enjoyed the book as much if they didn’t have redeemable qualities?
Another Country is a very important book, set in a harsh environment during a period of high racial tension. There is foul language and gruesome acts, yet reading it almost 60 (!!) years after it was written somehow puts it into perspective, and kind of makes it less shocking? You start the book knowing that it is a tough world, so when the characters go through horrible experiences, you almost blindly accept it; you truly get the feeling that this is their reality.
The main thing I noticed about this book is the way that Baldwin created his characters. Each character is enormously flawed and easily dislikable, and reading from the perspective of a modern day feminist, some of the acts of Rufus and Vivaldo are utterly horrifying - yet despite these actions, I really felt for them. What I shared in my book group is that I think I sympathised with them because they were redeemed in the eyes of the other characters. For example, Rufus came off as an arrogant, chauvinistic pig - yet through the eyes of Ida, who worshipped the ground he walked on, you saw a gentle, protective older brother who would do anything for you. The way Baldwin wrote this and the way it affected my feelings towards the characters really interested me, as I am very character-driven in what I read. I wonder if I would have enjoyed the book as much if they didn’t have redeemable qualities?
readeggz's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
skull_in_connemara's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joeure's review against another edition
5.0
It took me two months to read this book and I didn't enjoy one minute of it.
ryankaybee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Violence
liam_so_goated's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful. An examination of what it means to be white, poor, gay, black, straight, a woman, a man, a wife in America.
isadorawonder's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sick to my stomach this was amazing.
charlyhannah's review
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0