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krisc1989's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Cursing, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, and Violence
nairijan's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I think Baldwin is becoming one of my favorite novels. This book captures dialogue in such an authentic way that I am always going to think about it. It was really nice to read this and see how Baldwin’s writing had changed from his first novel and with what ease he wrote gut punching scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Police brutality, and Sexual assault
ariparip's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Rape, and Sexual content
meroei's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
If Beale Street Could Talk - A young Black couple have their future thrown into doubt thanks to police vengeance coupled with an unsound and unjust identification system. And racism of course. It’s authored by James Baldwin so it’s as searing and unflinching as you’d hope and expect. Some readers may be frustrated by the ending but I thought it was effective and realistic. Although first published nearly 50 years ago this book unfortunately still feels fresh and relevant today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Rape
bando_bauldio's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
What a heart wrenchingly intimate story about the systemic inequalities in society…
Things I liked: Trish’s omnipotent narration, commentary on systemic racism and the prison industrial complex, the love between Fonny and Trish, the support her family provides, and so much more.
Things I didn’t like: the somewhat ambiguous ending, I was hoping for something more concrete; and I think that’s it lol
Things I liked: Trish’s omnipotent narration, commentary on systemic racism and the prison industrial complex, the love between Fonny and Trish, the support her family provides, and so much more.
Things I didn’t like: the somewhat ambiguous ending, I was hoping for something more concrete; and I think that’s it lol
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Sexual assault
alexcribbs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I just finished this seconds ago. The book moves quickly but the story doesn’t until the very end.
In some ways it feels like we’ve come pretty far in terms of how deep into a certain topic (eg. racism in our justice system) we’re comfortable going compared to how deep this book seems to go, but I think there’s a lot more to unpack here than what first meets the eye.
In some ways it feels like we’ve come pretty far in terms of how deep into a certain topic (eg. racism in our justice system) we’re comfortable going compared to how deep this book seems to go, but I think there’s a lot more to unpack here than what first meets the eye.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Alcoholism
mattyvreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Gorgeously written and utterly haunting. One of the best books I have ever read, period.
It’s a not-so-far-fetched fiction which is unfortunately, equally relevant today. It is so much more than a love story, although few succeed in painting as clear and honest a picture of humanity as Baldwin.
It’s hard to write a review for this book because words fail to describe it’s poignance and import. Absolutely everyone should read this book.
It’s a not-so-far-fetched fiction which is unfortunately, equally relevant today. It is so much more than a love story, although few succeed in painting as clear and honest a picture of humanity as Baldwin.
It’s hard to write a review for this book because words fail to describe it’s poignance and import. Absolutely everyone should read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Suicide
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, and Homophobia
michelleka's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Racism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
carriewnettles's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Alcohol, and Racism