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paulette1133's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
_rowena_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
catharticscreams's review against another edition
Incredibly grateful I live in a world where I can read books like this.
l_black_33's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
juliash's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
virgosrising's review against another edition
This book will always be unbelievably special to me - it's the book that made me fall back in love with reading and writing as a teenager. It still holds that beauty to me - Baldwin's prose is as enthralling as ever. I don't know that I enjoyed the story itself as much this time, though I understand it a lot better now than I did then. Perhaps a little heavy handed at times. Either way, a beautiful novel that will never leave me.
sandiet's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed listening to this novel but I doubt I'd have enjoyed reading it quite the same way. The narrator does a wonderful job. he conveys everyone's unhappiness. They are questioning their lives and David and Giovanni are questioning their sexuality. I think Giovanni is sure of who he is and he loves David, but David definitely is not sure and holds onto his girlfriend Hella as proof he's not gay. it's a very sad novel about a time when people were scared to accept the truths about themselves and opted for self-loathing instead. Unfortunately not much has changed because sadly we're reverting to repressive times...so much for progress. My first book by James Baldwin and I hope to read more. Recommended reading.