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astrozombies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.75
as a first endeavor into baldwin’s work, i fear i may have bit off a bit more than i could chew.
the writing is phenomenal. every sentence evokes powerful emotion, which is probably part of why it took me so long to finish; yet still, i don’t feel like i’m done. i imagine this book is one i’ll have to revisit later to fully grasp the themes baldwin is trying to explore, as well as to understand the motivations of some characters, especially regarding rufus and his treatment of leona.
i think it was very moving to see how rufus was the connecting force between every character—even past chapter one—and how he motivated the actions of characters like vivaldo and ida especially.
it was frustrating, however, to watch as every character chose the worst decision to make at any given opportunity. the almost universal mistreatment of every female character and non-character was also difficult to parse beyond “well, they kinda were universally mistreated at this time” so maybe that was the point.
nevertheless, this book was a monumental emotional effort that i feel glad to have read, and i’m excited to see how baldwin’s other works fare. maybe after a bit of a break, though. lol
the writing is phenomenal. every sentence evokes powerful emotion, which is probably part of why it took me so long to finish; yet still, i don’t feel like i’m done. i imagine this book is one i’ll have to revisit later to fully grasp the themes baldwin is trying to explore, as well as to understand the motivations of some characters, especially regarding rufus and his treatment of leona.
i think it was very moving to see how rufus was the connecting force between every character—even past chapter one—and how he motivated the actions of characters like vivaldo and ida especially.
it was frustrating, however, to watch as every character chose the worst decision to make at any given opportunity. the almost universal mistreatment of every female character and non-character was also difficult to parse beyond “well, they kinda were universally mistreated at this time” so maybe that was the point.
nevertheless, this book was a monumental emotional effort that i feel glad to have read, and i’m excited to see how baldwin’s other works fare. maybe after a bit of a break, though. lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content
george55's review against another edition
3.0
Beautifully written with some standout passages. But the intensely introspective characters seemed so extreme and so implausible. There was far too much simultaneous hatred and love and deep deep analysis of the personal relationships for me. Ida was only 21 yet could articulate centuries of feelings. And all the thrusting which went on, between Vivaldo, Ida, Cass, Eric and Rufus was a bit much!
janemainprize's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
mjdurbahn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. James Baldwin does an amazing job of writing about what it is to be human. This story follows a group of friends in New York City during the 1960s. This group navigates interracial relationships, homosexuality, suicide, and many other incredibly heavy topics all while trying to survive as artists. Throughout the whole book, I was riveted by the stories of each character and how they all intertwined. It was so incredibly messy and dramatic in a way but at the same time so incredibly real. It was so easy to visualize every single conversation and see a little of yourself in every character. I’m definitely going to pick up more James Baldwin ASAP.
a_1212's review against another edition
3.0
~3.25
Compared to previous novels I've read of his, not as strong.
Compared to previous novels I've read of his, not as strong.
aadya's review against another edition
3.5
FINALLY omg I feel like I really battled through this but I was determined because I think it was enriching and I worry I’m becoming fundamentally stupid as measured by not reading classics.
I did enjoy this, I just found it difficult to read many pages in a sitting. Some of the dialect I struggled to understand so I was just guessing the vibes. A few sentences in French that got the cogs turning for me. A few gorg lines a took photos of quite a few pages which I feel is generally a measure of I liked it.
I did enjoy this, I just found it difficult to read many pages in a sitting. Some of the dialect I struggled to understand so I was just guessing the vibes. A few sentences in French that got the cogs turning for me. A few gorg lines a took photos of quite a few pages which I feel is generally a measure of I liked it.
Sometimes we make it, beautifully. And sometimes we don’t. And it’s hideous.
A lot of great confrontation vibes I liked the scene where Cass says you can’t say men have made something up because what they’ve made up is everything there is
Obviously some incisive race commentary that is surprisingly and maybe sadly contemporary. Like when Ida hits Vivaldi with “because you’re white” every so often… lovely. I also liked Ida’s ‘grim view on love’ monologue
Ok in summary I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t love this because I think it makes me a bad person and an unintelligent reader but i don’t think I can say I loved it since it took me like 2 months to read and I finished maybe 5 other books between starting and finishing this one….
y00lle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hawkia75's review against another edition
4.0
Baldwin is unafraid to tackle the big issues in this novel: race, sex, homosexuality, love, and trying to make it as an artist in New York City. In all this ferment, Baldwin gives a stirring, eloquent voice to the pain and anguish of the marginalized. There are a few passages that are both searingly articulate and poetic, and go straight to the heart of that deeply felt pain. The dialogue feels a bit dated, but unfortunately, most of what Baldwin has to say about how people of color are treated still rings true. He also writes with empathy of the obliviousness of the white characters, even the most well-meaning, even as they try to bridge the distance between the races. The white characters are coming to grips with their privilege, but are still working out the implications of what it means to be a black person in a white person's world. Love is not enough, Baldwin seems to be saying, but we won't make it without it.
emmalong's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
james baldwin is such a classic writer and i loved reading his words. however, this story was so incredibly slow. the pacing simply did not work for me. everyone was incredibly unlikeable. the way women were talked about was pretty problematic and made it hard to read at times. the conversations on race and sexuality were interesting to read from each of the character's perspective, but the novel itself didn't really pay off for me. excited to read more of his works that i think align more with my taste.
ellis_b's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I read this I get something new. This time: everyone’s drinking but no one can seem to get drunk.