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sophieellendavies's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
4.0
If Beale Street Could Talk is narrative so entrenched in certain doom, and defying that doom with hope and love--and even death, with new life. There's desperate denial, and in that denial, a way of challenging circumstances that the characters cannot control: those being the antiblack carceral system which thrives on debasement and violence, sexual violence in particular, and the antiblackness which holds them constantly under threat of that system, and in a state of alienation from the comparably indifferent world around them.
Tish grapples frequently with familiarity, understanding those both close and distant from her--the novel is an exercise in the exploration of empathy, of trying to make sense of a senseless world--because, as she says in the first page, that's where the real trouble begins: when nothing works out as it should, despite all they do to ensure an outcome, when one can't comprehend what is happening to them, for all its unfairness and cruelty.
Tish's voice is compelling; she's witty, observant, and, most crucially, bold. It's her boldness that can put her at odds with Fonny, because while both characters live in fear, and try desperately to protect the other, even against futile odds and circumstances, Tish is not commended for this character trait. Because in Tish's case, her fear is compounded by her status as a woman, a Black woman, which Fonny and other characters are quick to remind her of, especially when she asserts that agency.
And Tish is quite young. Her naivete is very apparent, and tragic, as she learns more of what it means to be a Black woman and mother, how to navigate adulthood and undertake new responsibilities with the facts of her race and gender always making that maturation more difficult.
This is where the narrative makes the theme of sexual violence and subjugation quite clear. It runs throughout the entire novel, from the central case of the rape accusation against Fonny, which cannot be contested presumably to protect the mental well-being of the victim yet here, only serves as a weapon of state antiblackness, to constant sexual insults and slurs from the characters. Sex is viewed in various lenses; it's figured intensely in both cathartic and violent contexts.
There's so much complexity in the handling of the novel's themes, like love and alienation, it can seem convoluted at times, but justifiably so. Tish's perspective is overwhelmed over and over with everything that happens to her, and all her notions of safety and an ideal future are shattered. There is no easy answer or solution to anything that occurs: the only consistent reality is the threat that exists everywhere.
I did have a problem at times with the handling of the point of view, specifically when Tish relates the conversation Joseph and Frank have at a bar and Sharon's trip to Puerto Rico, scenes in which she was not present. I liked the scenes, especially the pointed prose in Sharon's, but I don't think the execution made sense, as it put Tish as an omniscient voice, so they felt disruptive in a way.
The writing could also come across as jarring or tonally inconsistent, in terms of Tish's voice, at times; it had an affect that I didn't think was appropriate to Tish. But when the writing is impressive, and it often is, it truly delivers: which makes the moments that miss the mark too pronounced.
The final few pages, particularly the last paragraph, were so poignant. I thought it was a perfect way to end the novel, a new life insistent on being heard and acknowledged above the dead, above the resignation of a character who ultimately could not bear the senselessness of racist reality.
Tish grapples frequently with familiarity, understanding those both close and distant from her--the novel is an exercise in the exploration of empathy, of trying to make sense of a senseless world--because, as she says in the first page, that's where the real trouble begins: when nothing works out as it should, despite all they do to ensure an outcome, when one can't comprehend what is happening to them, for all its unfairness and cruelty.
Tish's voice is compelling; she's witty, observant, and, most crucially, bold. It's her boldness that can put her at odds with Fonny, because while both characters live in fear, and try desperately to protect the other, even against futile odds and circumstances, Tish is not commended for this character trait. Because in Tish's case, her fear is compounded by her status as a woman, a Black woman, which Fonny and other characters are quick to remind her of, especially when she asserts that agency.
And Tish is quite young. Her naivete is very apparent, and tragic, as she learns more of what it means to be a Black woman and mother, how to navigate adulthood and undertake new responsibilities with the facts of her race and gender always making that maturation more difficult.
This is where the narrative makes the theme of sexual violence and subjugation quite clear. It runs throughout the entire novel, from the central case of the rape accusation against Fonny, which cannot be contested presumably to protect the mental well-being of the victim yet here, only serves as a weapon of state antiblackness, to constant sexual insults and slurs from the characters. Sex is viewed in various lenses; it's figured intensely in both cathartic and violent contexts.
There's so much complexity in the handling of the novel's themes, like love and alienation, it can seem convoluted at times, but justifiably so. Tish's perspective is overwhelmed over and over with everything that happens to her, and all her notions of safety and an ideal future are shattered. There is no easy answer or solution to anything that occurs: the only consistent reality is the threat that exists everywhere.
I did have a problem at times with the handling of the point of view, specifically when Tish relates the conversation Joseph and Frank have at a bar and Sharon's trip to Puerto Rico, scenes in which she was not present. I liked the scenes, especially the pointed prose in Sharon's, but I don't think the execution made sense, as it put Tish as an omniscient voice, so they felt disruptive in a way.
The writing could also come across as jarring or tonally inconsistent, in terms of Tish's voice, at times; it had an affect that I didn't think was appropriate to Tish. But when the writing is impressive, and it often is, it truly delivers: which makes the moments that miss the mark too pronounced.
The final few pages, particularly the last paragraph, were so poignant. I thought it was a perfect way to end the novel, a new life insistent on being heard and acknowledged above the dead, above the resignation of a character who ultimately could not bear the senselessness of racist reality.
weeohh's review against another edition
4.0
Really an incredible book.
If I keep thinking about it, I might come back and give it 5 stars.
Such a heartfelt perspective and I loved the connection between the baby and Fonny.
If I keep thinking about it, I might come back and give it 5 stars.
Such a heartfelt perspective and I loved the connection between the baby and Fonny.
samrybooks's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
teereads97's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
abscott's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
rebeccaehockin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
robyn1998'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? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I read this first a few years ago and wanted to reread it after enjoying Giovanni's Room earlier this year. It did not disappoint. So sad and meditative and not a single word wasted. Most of all I loved the two families at the centre of the story and how well James Baldwin brought them to life.
kaylajcj's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
trangvu24's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0