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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i’ve realised that i’m not a fan of short stories - i want to get into the story and there’s never enough to allow that to happen.
despite this, i really liked a few of the stories in here. some of them were much more gripping than others, but the theme was pretty much consistent throughout.
it finished on a story that completely threw me off, like i can’t even explain it but i felt sick the whole way through, not because of the writing or anything, but just the change in tone and theme was so in your face.
a vv interesting read though x
despite this, i really liked a few of the stories in here. some of them were much more gripping than others, but the theme was pretty much consistent throughout.
it finished on a story that completely threw me off, like i can’t even explain it but i felt sick the whole way through, not because of the writing or anything, but just the change in tone and theme was so in your face.
a vv interesting read though x
Because of the colloquial language... it's definitely a hard read if you have a modern soul with modern values. However, with any story you read you have to immerse yourself in the characters. understand them. Sympathize with the narrator. Even if it's so hard especially with this piece.
But you have to.
And for that, it makes all the difference.
But you have to.
And for that, it makes all the difference.
Some of the stories are better than others, but "Sonny's Blues," "This Morning, This Evening, So Soon," and "Going to Meet the Man" are must-reads, even when difficult (especially "Going to Meet the Man"). Perhaps no quote better sums up Baldwin's work than this:
"For while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness."
"For while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness."
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is top shelf. Maybe five of the stories are instant classics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
Just wanted to read Sonny's Blues. 5/5.
I feel like every Baldwin I've read could have the same review... Brilliant, depressing endings that almost make all the the long-winded pontificating that lead up to it worth the effort. Almost.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wonderful collection. Short but heavy!
My favorites were:
The Outing
This Morning, This Evening, So Soon
Come Out the Wilderness
Going to Meet the Man (destroyed me- then made me angry- then made me sick)
My favorites were:
The Outing
This Morning, This Evening, So Soon
Come Out the Wilderness
Going to Meet the Man (destroyed me- then made me angry- then made me sick)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse