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A review by earthlight
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
5.0
So rarely do I engage with a piece of literature, or a movie, and know that it's having a profound effect on me–usually it's through looking back and reflecting that I realize that something has changed me.
Yet, stepping into Giovanni's Room, I knew within the first chapter. I knew it because it looked at me, held a mirror up to me, locked me into my own room and swept me out to sea. As I write this review its thundering violently outside which is, perhaps, a fitting note to end this book on. And while I may have finished reading the story, the journey it has put me on will reverberate for a while, maybe far longer than I can anticipate.
I cannot wait to read this again one day, to revisit its emotional currents, its shame and my shame, its beautifully flowing sentences and masterfully crafted and woven undercurrents. I am glad this was my introduction to James Baldwin.
Yet, stepping into Giovanni's Room, I knew within the first chapter. I knew it because it looked at me, held a mirror up to me, locked me into my own room and swept me out to sea. As I write this review its thundering violently outside which is, perhaps, a fitting note to end this book on. And while I may have finished reading the story, the journey it has put me on will reverberate for a while, maybe far longer than I can anticipate.
I cannot wait to read this again one day, to revisit its emotional currents, its shame and my shame, its beautifully flowing sentences and masterfully crafted and woven undercurrents. I am glad this was my introduction to James Baldwin.