Reviews

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

zeinabmagdi's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense 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

4.5

ellsoquent's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

kaimekolreads's review against another edition

challenging sad tense 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

4.0

em_jay's review against another edition

5.0

James Baldwin’s writing blows me away. So honest, frank, heartfelt, and in your face. This is my first Baldwin novel, and absolutely not my last.

katiebonnyman's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

joshtenet's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

helku's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

bielders's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

kelly_inthe419's review against another edition

4.0

Words matter. Even more to the point, James Baldwin's words in If Beale Street Could Talk matter. They matter because, even though this was written in the early 1970s, many of the same issues faced by our young protagonists and their families is still true today, nearly 50 years later.

This story is heartbreaking, poignant and full of love - both romantic love between a young couple and a family's love for one another.

The young couple - Tish and Fonny - are in love and planning to marry. They've finally found a place to live that will rent to Blacks. Then Fonny is falsely accused of rape and sent to prison. Tish finds out she is pregnant. Both of their families are poor and struggling to get by, but they forge ahead trying to find ways to help Fonny get out of jail.

Tish’s devotion to save Fonny is so beautiful and heartbreaking to read. She is determined to see him released in spite of the odds stacked against her - and him. And her family is right there with her, every step of the way. Her father, her mother and her older sister are brimming with life and love. And they provide an excellent counterpoint to Fonny's dysfunctional family.

The racism of society and a corrupt judicial system are felt every step of the way. It is a short read but one I will not soon forget.

caelm's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75