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eralbesu's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Aside from giving us a reflective glimpse in the psyche of a well-traveled, conscientious, thoughtful Black American man in his time, this essay says something quite beautiful in the last few passages about humans and our desire to love and be loved and how that love changes us. Reading through this essay, that was perhaps the last place I expected us to land, but now looking back on the essay, it seems so obvious that’s where we were going lol.
erraticeldandil's review against another edition
5.0
For such a short book, this... well I'm not sure how to call it...I'd say novella if it was fiction....packs quite a punch. I continue to love Baldwin's voice and found plenty of insights I will keep thinking of -> though I will say I think I need a physical read to really digest what is said.
I think the idea that sticks out most in my mind is the passage about the moments in which your carefully crafted "self" seems to fall entirely apart and you are stuck trying to put the pieces back together again. It's a feeling I know well and it is beautifully described.
I think the idea that sticks out most in my mind is the passage about the moments in which your carefully crafted "self" seems to fall entirely apart and you are stuck trying to put the pieces back together again. It's a feeling I know well and it is beautifully described.
olivialp's review against another edition
5.0
doesn't really count as a book but i've read this three times and it never fails me. i swear no one knows how to write like baldwin.
anniefwrites's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Absolutely masterful. This essay is so well-crafted, so incisive, so grim and yet hopeful. I had to read the last section twice and already want to read the whole thing over again. It astonishes me how his observations ring true decades later. There really wasn’t—and isn’t—another writer like Baldwin.
rnfortier's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Provocative in a very necessary way
divyaordontya's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible read in the context of today’s political climate. Will definitely keep coming back to this essay.
ella_francess's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first writing by Baldwin I've ever read, and I found it sort of disorienting to get into his style of writing but found the essay at the end commenting on his work very helpful. 4/5 stars.