A review by dizzymissliz
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

haunting.
baldwin has a way with words. ive never seen the queer experience so elegantly narrated. 
this book was hard for me because i was a giovanni. to see my situation from the other person's pov was interesting.
i think the room itself was a metaphor for a toxic relationship. ur trapped, you want to get out, but you can't. 
i think the way baldwin characterizes david as being very self conscious of his sexuality is really interesting. he has a lot of internalized homophobia and struggles with the concept of masculinity.
anyways it was just a really beautiful well written book.