Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - If Beale Street Could Talk

Many layers of what it means to ‘care’ authentically and with your full self. There is family here, but it’s extended and absorbing to those that need that unconditional feeling of acceptance. Without being the protagonist, Sharon’s personality IS the book, she is more than a mother and it’s hard to describe exactly what her empathy and omniscience does to you as a reader. Sometimes it’s just fulfilling to watch a world (fictional or not) unfold without any effort on your part: to witness, feel helpless, and to semi-consciously marvel at the many ways we can relate to other people.

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nairijan's review

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emotional sad 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

5.0

I think Baldwin is becoming one of my favorite novels. This book captures dialogue in such an authentic way that I am always going to think about it. It was really nice to read this and see how Baldwin’s writing had changed from his first novel and with what ease he wrote gut punching scenes.

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meroei's review

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emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.5

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bando_bauldio's review

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

What a heart wrenchingly intimate story about the systemic inequalities in society…

Things I liked: Trish’s omnipotent narration, commentary on systemic racism and the prison industrial complex, the love between Fonny and Trish, the support her family provides, and so much more.

Things I didn’t like: the somewhat ambiguous ending, I was hoping for something more concrete; and I think that’s it lol

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katiekenniston's review

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emotional 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? No

5.0

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mpaterson's review

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dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

5.0

A beautiful and poignant prose that offers a brief window into the lives of two interconnected families and explores the interconnection of racism and sexism in 60s NYC. It’s tender in moments and tense in others, sometimes both simultaneously. Both nothing and so much happens throughout the book. Love, in all its forms - unconditional and unhealthy, and emotion carries the story with ease and depth.

If you’re looking for a beautifully melancholy, yet even hopeful of a story, this is it.

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missbrookss's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

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kelsrock's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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