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berrycedar's review
5.0
A powerful poetry collection. I haven't read any of Jimmy's prose but this is a really good gateway to his legacy and body of work. Unflailing in telling the truth.
sagittaur's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
To view the world through James Baldwin's eyes is to love. I hope to carry these words with me for many years to come <3
some favorite passages:
"I have a right to tremble
when you begin to crumble.
Your life is my life, too,
and nothing you can do
will make you something other
than my mule-headed brother."
-Mirrors (for David)
“Love,
love has no gifts to give
except the revelation that the soul can live:
on a coming day,
you will hear, from afar,
I, your lover, pray.
You will hear, then, that prayer that you cannot hear now,
and, when you hear that sobbing, boy, rejoice,
and know that love is the purpose of the human voice!”
-For A.
some favorite passages:
"I have a right to tremble
when you begin to crumble.
Your life is my life, too,
and nothing you can do
will make you something other
than my mule-headed brother."
-Mirrors (for David)
“Love,
love has no gifts to give
except the revelation that the soul can live:
on a coming day,
you will hear, from afar,
I, your lover, pray.
You will hear, then, that prayer that you cannot hear now,
and, when you hear that sobbing, boy, rejoice,
and know that love is the purpose of the human voice!”
-For A.
mg_in_md_'s review
5.0
This collection is raw, honest, and unflinching from start to finish. Much of the social commentary remains relevant today and will make you stop, think, and question.
I selected this for the 2020 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge prompt "three books by the same author" (this is number two of three).
I selected this for the 2020 Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge prompt "three books by the same author" (this is number two of three).
smtenaglia's review
4.0
“Love,
love has no gifts to give
except the revelation that the soul can live:
on a coming day,
you will hear, from afar,
I, your lover, pray.
You will hear then, that prayer that you cannot hear now,
and when you hear that sobbing, boy, rejoice,
and know that love is the purpose of the human voice!”
-For A.
“Yes.
My progress has been discouraging.
But I think I will leave the palace where it is.
It has taken up quite enough of my time.
The compass, the watch, and the radio:
I think I know the road, by now,
and if not, well, I’ll certainly think of something”
- inventory/On Being 52
“The silence coming yonder
is far from grief
and brings relief.
Beyond time
there is no wonder
there is no crime.”
-BALLAD (for Yoran)
love has no gifts to give
except the revelation that the soul can live:
on a coming day,
you will hear, from afar,
I, your lover, pray.
You will hear then, that prayer that you cannot hear now,
and when you hear that sobbing, boy, rejoice,
and know that love is the purpose of the human voice!”
-For A.
“Yes.
My progress has been discouraging.
But I think I will leave the palace where it is.
It has taken up quite enough of my time.
The compass, the watch, and the radio:
I think I know the road, by now,
and if not, well, I’ll certainly think of something”
- inventory/On Being 52
“The silence coming yonder
is far from grief
and brings relief.
Beyond time
there is no wonder
there is no crime.”
-BALLAD (for Yoran)