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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: Alcohol, Classism, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Infidelity, Child death, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Hate crime, and Pregnancy
niia_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Infidelity, and Death
Minor: Miscarriage
perleerose's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Xenophobia and Sexism
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: Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
gerzonvillegas's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Murder
bookofcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Before Giovanni's Room I was only familiar with James Baldwin's work as a political thinker/speaker, and his way with words in that context has always captured me. It's so interesting to find the same ring true in such a different place, such a different way.
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage
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: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Sexism, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
leabhar_love's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Murder and Miscarriage
pyronautphea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual content, Murder, Biphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Miscarriage
nzmerchant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Misogyny, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Violence