A review by bookofcats
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This took me soo many attempts to read with there being so much about both the characters and the happenings that was uncomfortable, often without reprieve, but god. The way it was all drawn out was beautiful. I wish I had the language for and practice at literary crit needed to delve into this the way I want to.

Before this I was most familiar with James Baldwin 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.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings