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chlorentine's review
5.0
i thought it was interesting look at a self-hating gay man's path towards destruction, although it did make me wonder about Baldwin's own perceptions of his own sexuality and life. also, not to impose modern morality on not-so-contemporary texts, but there were several moments with intense transphobia and violent misogyny that I was surprised to find from a typically sobering author (which also makes me wonder if it reflects Baldwin's own perspective on these things, though they probably do). It was interesting that Baldwin, who is so outspoken on race issues, would refrain from mentioning race in any capacity and would instead star a blond white man as the protagonist. Nonetheless, it was one of those works that transports you to another time and place. Although I'm a 20-year-old 21st century Mexican American, I really felt like I personally knew all these 40+yo European gay men chasing tail. Definitely a classic, and I recommend this to anyone, emotionally challenging parts and all.
thehmkane's review
4.0
Good gracious. Like an ice bucket challenge for my mind. Kept having to stop and like, pace around the apartment, gesticulating and going OH. HOOOOOOH. WHOA. WOW.
sophiahelix's review
5.0
Complex and beautifully written. Also feels like a companion in some ways to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which I read over and over as a child, while obviously being a lot deeper and touching on more mature subjects.
tayloro's review
5.0
“You don’t have a home until you leave it and then, when you have left it, your can never go back”
Cried multiple times, couldn’t put it down, and such an important read.
Cried multiple times, couldn’t put it down, and such an important read.
ma1ena's review
5.0
“I long to crack the mirror and be free. I look at my sex, my troubling sex, and wonder how it can be redeemed, how I can save it from the knife. The journey to the grave is already begun, the journey to corruption is always, already, half over. Yet, the key to my salvation, which cannot save my body, is hidden in my flesh.”
bandherbooks's review
4.0
I've been meaning to read Giovanni's Room for a very long time. I distinctly remember mentally adding it to my TBR pile while reading John Irving's [b:In One Person|12758317|In One Person|John Irving|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1379313446s/12758317.jpg|17893276] because Baldwin's classic meant so much to the main character in that story.
So, inspired by my 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge "read a classic by an author of color," I've finally realized this goal! Huzzah!
I found it a heavy work, weighted with sorrow, self-loathing, and guilt. I had a sense of foreboding every time I went to pick up the tiny in size but hefty in mental weight book. It wasn't something I actively enjoyed reading but something that left a huge impression. I felt awful for all of the characters, none of whom are likeable but all of whom you can feel for.
The themes of being an ex-patriot in Europe are also a favorite trope of mine, and I ate up every angsty minute of it.
So, inspired by my 2017 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge "read a classic by an author of color," I've finally realized this goal! Huzzah!
I found it a heavy work, weighted with sorrow, self-loathing, and guilt. I had a sense of foreboding every time I went to pick up the tiny in size but hefty in mental weight book. It wasn't something I actively enjoyed reading but something that left a huge impression. I felt awful for all of the characters, none of whom are likeable but all of whom you can feel for.
The themes of being an ex-patriot in Europe are also a favorite trope of mine, and I ate up every angsty minute of it.
wackyykacky's review
5.0
around this time last year i read if beale street could talk and my heart felt very raw and achy and this took that feeling and fully amplified it!!!! james baldwin is undoubtedly a literary genius and i just wanna know WHYYYYYY he isn’t read in schools???? (oops i know why !) argh the yearning is alive and well this monday a.m.