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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Intense and at times hard to read, accurate and relevant to this day, honestly this should probably be required reading for most people because many don't understand the realities of being black in the US, back then and today. The last story, after which the collection is named, is truly horrifying and one you don't want to believe is true, and the significance of that title becomes very clear. Full of details that make every story vibrant and the characters fully dimensional, Baldwin still knocks it out of the park with every tale.
Baldwin is excellent—his mastery of the form is unmatched and it shows in this volume. Sonny's Blues and The Man Child are riveting; if you pumped me full of enough MDMA to kill a small dog and hyped me up enough I'd get their full contents tattooed on my body like some kind of living tome.
This was my first James Baldwin book,there are two stories that stand out for me. "Previous Conditions" and "Going to meet the man", they were so detailed that you could feed the characters pain and anguish.
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely loved this collection of short stories. It is hard to rate a collection of shorter works, because sometimes there are a few stories that really stick out and a few that do not. Had I just been rating "Going to Meet the Man" I would have given this five stars. But I was not a huge fan of some of the others, which seemed less impacting upon the reader. However--Baldwin did save the most gruesome story until the end.
I would highly suggest that if you enjoyed these short stories, or you're interested in Baldwin, do not forget to consider [b:Giovanni's Room|38462|Giovanni's Room|James Baldwin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389658936s/38462.jpg|814207]. It remains my favorite, though there is different subject matter.
I would highly suggest that if you enjoyed these short stories, or you're interested in Baldwin, do not forget to consider [b:Giovanni's Room|38462|Giovanni's Room|James Baldwin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389658936s/38462.jpg|814207]. It remains my favorite, though there is different subject matter.
After reading Go Tell It on the Mountain, Another Country, and Giovanni's Room, I was not expecting Baldwin to tie in some stories and weave various the storylines of some of his previous work as well as personal life and affairs. I thought it was really lovely and unlike many books, provided much needed closure since there are no more James Baldwin books at the library for me to check out, although I think I'll be purchasing more from/about James Baldwin in the near future.
I also hadn't realized that I would finish the series of short stories in this book in a single day, but I had to devour it. Each page gave me closure, which was a relief still with a tinge of sadness. Just a fair warning, there is a graphic description of a lynching so might want to skip the second (?) story about Eric if that's a trigger for you.
I also hadn't realized that I would finish the series of short stories in this book in a single day, but I had to devour it. Each page gave me closure, which was a relief still with a tinge of sadness. Just a fair warning, there is a graphic description of a lynching so might want to skip the second (?) story about Eric if that's a trigger for you.
Read these for class. I love Sonny's Blues, it's one of my favorites. The descriptions are beautiful, I can feel everything that they're going through, and it's very well told in a way that makes you feel what Baldwin wants you to feel. The title story was much harder to digest. I think that in lesser hands it wouldn't have been as powerful or as impactful as this was, and it was just a really good story that takes a bit longer to like. The subject matter of racism and the graphic way it depicts it, along with the sympathy that it draws up for the main character, makes it a hard story to talk about and to discuss. However, the heaviness that it draws up shows just how well it's written and just how important it is. Overall, I really liked this one and there's a lot to take from his writing.
The titular story is one of the most upsetting things I’ve ever read.
i will say im schlumped...
but...
very interesting collection of stories
probably not the best time to read them though
but...
very interesting collection of stories
probably not the best time to read them though
Baldwin’s prose hits with a clear lucidity that is stunning, not a word is wasted. My previous exposure has only been the title story which is the most harrowing of the collection, and which hit even harder after the context of the whole. Many of these stories are not easy to read, but they cut and elucidate Black experience better than most things I’ve read up to this point. Not to mention the themes of suffering are universal as well. I suppose I will be of the sort that shouts Read Baldwin any chance I get after this collection. My favorites were The Outing; Sonny’s Blues; and This Morning, This Evening, So Soon. All are worthwhile and I will be re-reading many.