A review by daisyvb
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Baldwin has a smoothness to his writing, everything I've ever consumed by him slips through my mind easily. He knows not to labor a point unless vital for the story and it means his flow rarely stutters, finding places to put the book down is hard except for reaching the end of prescribed chapters/parts. I wasn't sure where this book was going to go the entire way through, right up until the final page. I'm still deciding if I liked it or simply admired its quality. It is certainly devoid of a clear emotion you are meant to come away with. Interesting to read queer literature by someone with lived experience in this era, and that in itself makes this an invaluable entry into the literary canon.