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goddessofwhatnot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading this was like bobbing out on the open ocean, life vest on, but seeing nothing but wave after wave of misery and devastation coming your way
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
uparrowhead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Nobody can stay in the Garden of Eden"
I feel like there's nothing that I can truly put into words about this book that can do justice to the experience of reading it. Traversing through the pages of sorrow and melancholy of this novel felt like an unraveling journey that was slowly breaking me apart with each turn.
A classic which I think is a necessity to read for any queer person, James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room explores the turmoiled life of David – a man who left America in search of a more free life in Paris – and the developing relationship between him and Giovanni. Through the meandering narrative of David's life and the memories which he slowly recalls of both the past and the present, you're thrust into a story of depressing beauty laced in love and pain.
Conflicting sadness between desire and disgust mixes within the incredible writing and language of this novel, creating a fantastical read that I loved from start to finish. Reading through David's hatred for his own sexuality and the perpetual limbo he seems to be in when it comes to how he feels for Giovanni makes for a truly heart wretching story that I don't think I'll ever forget.
Accelerating, tragically romantic: an incredible story that I will never recover from, which brought me to tears by the end. I can't stress enough how masterfully crafted this is, and all I can ask is for more people to read the sickeningly beautiful narrative this remarkable novel puts through.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Hate crime, and Pregnancy
deliriah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Outing, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Blood, and Pregnancy
Not sure how to tag it, but whether it's a reflection of the author's biases or an extension of the book's core themes, this book has a lot of negativity toward effeminate/GNC gay men.sixlimbs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
poirot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy