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A review by aswygs
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I need to read and reread again to soak it all in
a tragic queer love story
compulsory heteronormativity and misogyny and closetedness all wrapped into a complicated situation
I love love love Giovanni and my heart breaks for his misfortune
also me: under the beauty and bravado, terror and a terrible desire to please
“Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?” the fact you know Giovanni will die in prison very early on in the book is sad, and then when your learn WHY all the sadder. I didn’t see it coming
David is complicated, and I see him trying to figure himself out and what he wants, and he hurts everyone in his path
interesting commentary on misogyny in men who love men and do not value women
Hella is a queen and deserved better, and she knows she deserves better and yet settles for the times
I really wish I knew French for the full experience
every gay person should read it, it’s a beautiful reflection on love and identity and how relationships evoke parts of ourselves we never knew, and how when it’s counter cultural, it’s all the more difficult to integrate
a tragic queer love story
compulsory heteronormativity and misogyny and closetedness all wrapped into a complicated situation
I love love love Giovanni and my heart breaks for his misfortune
also me: under the beauty and bravado, terror and a terrible desire to please
“Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?” the fact you know Giovanni will die in prison very early on in the book is sad, and then when your learn WHY all the sadder. I didn’t see it coming
David is complicated, and I see him trying to figure himself out and what he wants, and he hurts everyone in his path
interesting commentary on misogyny in men who love men and do not value women
Hella is a queen and deserved better, and she knows she deserves better and yet settles for the times
I really wish I knew French for the full experience
every gay person should read it, it’s a beautiful reflection on love and identity and how relationships evoke parts of ourselves we never knew, and how when it’s counter cultural, it’s all the more difficult to integrate