A review by jmichaelw28
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A well-deserved classic, Giovanni's Room is a deep dive into the psyche of a White, queer man's struggle with masculinity and his own sexuality. Baldwin authentically ties together desire, self-loathing, and love into an unblinking character study. I would highly recommend pairing this book with Byung-Chul Han's The Agony of Eros.
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