Reviews

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

ssmariof's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

samanthalenore's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

heliosphere's review against another edition

5.0

there is this particular quote i always think about when i think of giovanni's room: david wakes up to see giovanni and he is golden and rosy and the description is wonderful (and every time i think about it i want to rip my heart out and eat glass). i noted it down somewhere but i lost it. i've scoured the world wide web for it to no end. i guess it is just the way that everything in giovanni's room and giovanni and david and baldwin's writing are ephemeral and slip through the fingers of anyone who tries to hold them. can you tell this is my favorite book ever?

norajane's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

ashgalwoah's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, and Sexism

meirysza's review against another edition

5.0

this is how it felt when you loathed yourself more than anyone else in the world yet nothing can stop you until you don’t recognize yourself anymore

malenamanchester's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

livay's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

4.25

An exploration of gender roles and sexuality - within the framework of the 50s. There is great (though at times a bit forced) symbolism and great emotions and even greater ignorance by each and every character which is tiring but, sadly, realisitic. 
Even though it's such a short book, it took me quite some time to read - I think because of the language which struck me as a bit bulky and borderline pretentious at times. 
All in all I was a bit disappointed, but that might be due to the fact that I was expecting an easy 5 star read.

saneyah's review against another edition

5.0

i am in anguish

cllorento's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0