Reviews

Some sentences that I just simply failed to understand, like: “for it was time that filled his mind, time that was violent with the mysterious love of God.”

Such a fascinating read alongside the Bible - how people grapple with sin vs purity, relationships with god as a young boy, as a woman, as a preacher & prophet

Such good commentary on what it was like to be a woman in this time and what it’s like to be a woman in general. (very progressive) to be a woman is to be perceived by men.

Just beautiful writing. Just want to drink it up

Some of the intensely biblical passages and religious jargon bored me/lost me a little bit

annamint's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

alayneorgana's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

gvstyris's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-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

3.5

There was not, after all, a great difference between the world of the North and that of the South which she had fled; there was only this difference: the North promised more. And this similarity: what it promised it did not give, and what it gave, at length and grudgingly with one hand, it took back with the other.

A sensitive, multi-faceted insight into the relationship between black America and religion. Each character is affected pretty differently by Christianity, and each story was well-executed and fascinating. Ultimately, I'd argue that Baldwin presents religion both as a guiding force and a tool that encourages black Americans to endure their oppression.

Go Tell It on the Mountain is absolutely deserving of its place in the literary canon, but was at times painful to parse through because of its religious jargon and (mostly) young narrator. That being said, I really liked the contrast between the sea and fire imagery, and am constantly in awe of Baldwin's female characters.

Honestly, I probably just wasn't in the right head space for this book, but am excited to continue diving into Baldwin's works.

Content Warnings

logarithmic's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.75

Baldwin's writing reminds me of Steinbeck. Except Baldwin writes women a million times better. One of the true great American authors.

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