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bioniclib's review against another edition
2.0
I read fiction for escape. This book is fiction. This book is a horror story. This book is based on facts. The life of an African American in Harlem in the 50s is like nothing I’ve ever known. It’s like nothing, in fact, that I’ll ever know. So the deplorable racism that defines their lives is leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth. I’ve read about a half dozen books on the subject that are non-fiction and they equally soured my mouth. But because I knew them to be non-fiction, I liked them better. They weren’t any easier to read but the fact that it was true and not just based on truth seemed to work better for me.
One other trouble I had with the book was that it reminded me of Rabbit, Run by John Updike. I was unsurprised to learn that they were both published in 1960. They were both peopled with miserable characters that saw the world as awful and justified their awful behavior because of that. Like I said, fiction is my escape and if the world into which I flee is miserable, I’m miserable.
I wanted to like this book and I did find nuggets of mastery but all-in-all I skimmed over the last bit of the book. Baldwin is a fantastic writer but not all writers are going to always write stuff I like. I’ll move onto Go Tell It on the Mountain and hope for better.
One other trouble I had with the book was that it reminded me of Rabbit, Run by John Updike. I was unsurprised to learn that they were both published in 1960. They were both peopled with miserable characters that saw the world as awful and justified their awful behavior because of that. Like I said, fiction is my escape and if the world into which I flee is miserable, I’m miserable.
I wanted to like this book and I did find nuggets of mastery but all-in-all I skimmed over the last bit of the book. Baldwin is a fantastic writer but not all writers are going to always write stuff I like. I’ll move onto Go Tell It on the Mountain and hope for better.
hannarita's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book! i enjoyed getting to know each character and their opinions, beliefs, and flaws. i love books like this that follow “normal” lives and the hardships and joys within them. also enjoyed the conversations around race, gender, class, and sexuality. shows how complex every person is.
jahlapenos's review against another edition
4.0
For much of the book I was annoyed by the tediousness of the characters. Until the introduction of Eric it seemed the running motivation of the characters were "Hey. This makes me miserable. Let's keep doing it."
And then Eric started doing the same on his return to New York. Which doubly annoyed me.
But then I realized how New York was portrayed as a prison and the characters prisoners, if somewhat willing prisoners. And all that could be had were brief moments of love, happiness and humanity. Then all the bed hopping made sense. And I feared for Yves.
And then Eric started doing the same on his return to New York. Which doubly annoyed me.
But then I realized how New York was portrayed as a prison and the characters prisoners, if somewhat willing prisoners. And all that could be had were brief moments of love, happiness and humanity. Then all the bed hopping made sense. And I feared for Yves.
welred's review against another edition
4.0
I wouldn’t say I *liked* this book, but it was powerful and meaningful and important, and I’m glad I read it.
lizziet97's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0
froggin_around's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Suicide
prolixity's review against another edition
5.0
A complex, tangled masterpiece. Really this is probably closer to four stars but I can’t bear to give it less than five. Difficult in theme and subject but radiant in language—the writing sings, it wails. Characters are deep and intricate and the world through which they move pushes up against them at every turn, the way the world pushes up against all of us, the way we have to steel ourselves just to be people in this world, like walking in the wind.
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Global Challenge: United States of America
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Global Challenge: United States of America
em_thegem's review against another edition
5.0
Baldwin’s winding prose is as relatable as ever, even in the next millennium. I found myself sometimes taking breaks from this book at the beginning, and I didn’t know where it was going, but I absolutely devoured the end. The fantastic dialogue and vivid descriptions combined to be at once both transporting and arresting.
aklanger_18's review against another edition
3.0
I've been meaning to read James Baldwin for the longest time. The writing in Another Country is gorgeous and it's powerful to think about how the themes of race, sexuality, and class would have been read in the 1960s -- I can see how the book was groundbreaking. I struggled with the plot, though, which made this less accessible/readable. I am definitely going to try another Baldwin book.