Reviews

Otro país by James Baldwin

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modernlove5's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

A bit slow at times but deeply affecting.

a2lulu's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm a fan of Baldwin's other writing, but I was disappointed by this book, although I'm glad I read it. There's an interesting article in the New Yorker from 2009 that articulates some of my reaction. The only thing I'd add is that the portrayals and attitudes toward women were problematic at times and the incestuousness of the friend group seemed over the top to me.

"A sprawling book that brought together Baldwin’s concerns with race and sex, its daring themes—black rage, interracial sex, homosexuality, white guilt, urban malaise—make an imposing backdrop for characters who refuse to come to life. A black jazz musician who plummets into madness because of an affair with a white woman; a white bisexual saint who cures both men and women in his bed—the social agenda shines through these figures like light through glass. More than anything else, the book reveals Baldwin’s immense will and professionalism; like the contemporary best-sellers “Ship of Fools” and “The Group,” it suggests a delicate and fine-tuned talent pushed past its narrative limits in pursuit of the “big” work. Baldwin claimed to be going after the sound of jazz musicians in his prose, but aside from some lingo on the order of “Some cat turned her on, and then he split,” the language is stale compared with his earlier works—or compared with the burnished eloquence of his next book, which shook the American rafters when it was published, in early 1963."

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/02/09/another-country

buffysangels's review against another edition

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emotional

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

4.5

lialeahlio's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

James Baldwin scratches a certain itch in my literary brain whenever I read anything by him.
The techniques he uses to form these passages that convey a deeper meaning about the overarching theme is rhythmically satisfying. His dialogues reads like music, with conversations tip toeing around something unspoken yet screaming with emotion and ticking to explode with every page turn. In Another Country, Baldwin explores the depths of sex and race from the lens of characters who are interconnect by their grief, suffering, and challenges living in New York during the civil rights movement. Baldwin takes us on an emotional journey of self discovery through discussions about masculinity, love, and relationships by comparing the experiences of each character and their relationships with each other.

Personally, if I dissect this whole book I could make essays upon essays on it because its so rich. I will always be in awe of Baldwin's capability as a writer that masterfully mixes music, through lyrics from songs and repetition, in his prose. Once you see the techniques he uses you can't unsee them. It's absolutely insane.

thapacki's review against another edition

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5.0

A story about love, race and the ugly stigma of going against what society declares is normal. The first word to I would use to describe this book is that it is raw. The characters don't hold back on what they want to say or do. At time hard to get through because of the tough topics but well worth the read.

zannkke's review against another edition

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5.0

i’ve never read a book so good before

linzihw's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

James Balwin writes characters that feel completely real. They do terrible things to each other but somehow the are still empathetic and relatable. His writing is mesmerising. I absolutely loved this.