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mezzarella'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
4.0
I have long admired Baldwin's essays, interviews, and speeches. The way that Baldwin writes with depth and compassion even towards people who worked against him is astounding. This book details religion's oppressive tendencies through the most faithful, discusses racism through the perspectives of the oppressed which help perpetuate it, discusses sexism with such honesty even though Baldwin was not a woman. There is a throughline of bold observation and truth in Baldwin's writings. While I was not personally moved by the importance of faith in this work, I was moved by the way these words encouraged me to find the shared experiences which encourage us to push forward in dark times and learn from our mistakes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, and Sexism
bridgedeebookish95's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Whew. Baldwin's account of the hypocritical nature of the Black church and really just religion at large and the damage that does is so specific, searing, haunting, and stunning. I also really enjoyed the structure of this book being told in three parts and all of the parts, in some way or another, informing each other. I read a lot of Baldwin's non-fiction work, but I'm making my way through and revisiting his fiction (which is just as real) after only reading Another Country and Giovanni's Room in high school and I'm loving it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness
herelieshenry's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility, Suicide, and Death of parent
gvstyris's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
There was not, after all, a great difference between the world of the North and that of the South which she had fled; there was only this difference: the North promised more. And this similarity: what it promised it did not give, and what it gave, at length and grudgingly with one hand, it took back with the other.
A sensitive, multi-faceted insight into the relationship between black America and religion. Each character is affected pretty differently by Christianity, and each story was well-executed and fascinating. Ultimately, I'd argue that Baldwin presents religion both as a guiding force and a tool that encourages black Americans to endure their oppression.
Go Tell It on the Mountain is absolutely deserving of its place in the literary canon, but was at times painful to parse through because of its religious jargon and (mostly) young narrator. That being said, I really liked the contrast between the sea and fire imagery, and am constantly in awe of Baldwin's female characters.
Honestly, I probably just wasn't in the right head space for this book, but am excited to continue diving into Baldwin's works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Rape
Minor: Slavery and Police brutality
jfcoombs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime and Rape
Minor: Death of parent
mattyvreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Baldwin is so impressive. This book came out in the early 50s, and it still reads incredibly modern and just as relevant. Besides that, the writing is perfection. It is beautiful, poignant, and the characters feel so real. They are complex, layered, flawed, and relatable.
Baldwin has an exceedingly rare understanding of humanity. He is able to show a character’s abject cruelty, show us why that character is the way they are, without trying to redeem or justify their actions. “This is true and this is also true.” We understand that character without forgiving them. By the same token, Baldwin can show the depth of, say, a mother’s love for her child and explain how she came to love him so much. We will fall in love with this character. And then he’ll go on to show us her disdain for her other son. There is nuance and depth in every line.
This story tackles religion, namely the oppressive weight of Christianity, and its (seemingly rare) healing qualities, as well. The way each character talks about religion is fascinating. These characters are G*d-fearing, not G*d-loving. They live terrified of sinning, and the anguish of Hell fire. Yet there is a line between living life to an impossible standard (never having sexual thoughts, never drinking, never feeling jealousy, etc..) and the other side. We see Christianity give John hope in his own head (even if it seems like he unwillingly submitted to the religion). We see Christianity steer bad people away from infidelity and violence, until those villains inevitably stray. So it seems largely ineffective, too.
It presents the good and the bad.
In The Fire Next Time, Baldwin states “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving.“ I believe that that assertion colors this entire text.
Loved this book and would love to read it again.
Baldwin has an exceedingly rare understanding of humanity. He is able to show a character’s abject cruelty, show us why that character is the way they are, without trying to redeem or justify their actions. “This is true and this is also true.” We understand that character without forgiving them. By the same token, Baldwin can show the depth of, say, a mother’s love for her child and explain how she came to love him so much. We will fall in love with this character. And then he’ll go on to show us her disdain for her other son. There is nuance and depth in every line.
This story tackles religion, namely the oppressive weight of Christianity, and its (seemingly rare) healing qualities, as well. The way each character talks about religion is fascinating. These characters are G*d-fearing, not G*d-loving. They live terrified of sinning, and the anguish of Hell fire. Yet there is a line between living life to an impossible standard (never having sexual thoughts, never drinking, never feeling jealousy, etc..) and the other side. We see Christianity give John hope in his own head (even if it seems like he unwillingly submitted to the religion). We see Christianity steer bad people away from infidelity and violence, until those villains inevitably stray. So it seems largely ineffective, too.
It presents the good and the bad.
In The Fire Next Time, Baldwin states “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving.“ I believe that that assertion colors this entire text.
Loved this book and would love to read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
ellieg2604's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was not what I expected, and was really hard for me to get into. I ended up enjoying it, but not until it was almost over and I finally understood what was happening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity
amylav's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Racism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
lay_kone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Suicide
molliford's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Rape