Reviews

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

teereads97's review

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emotional 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? No

4.5

abscott's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense 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

rebeccaehockin's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

4.5

robyn1998's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

I read this first a few years ago and wanted to reread it after enjoying Giovanni's Room earlier this year. It did not disappoint. So sad and meditative and not a single word wasted. Most of all I loved the two families at the centre of the story and how well James Baldwin brought them to life. 

kaylajcj's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

trangvu24's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.0

davethescot's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Such a beautiful novel. "If Beale Street Could Talk" by James Baldwin is a poignant narrative of love and injustice. Set in Harlem during the 1970s, Baldwin masterfully weaves together themes of racial discrimination, familial bonds, and societal struggles. Through vivid characters and lyrical prose, he delivers a powerful and heartbreaking exploration of the human experience.

klara1204's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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? Yes

5.0

luisareadss's review against another edition

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informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

ritasdqrocha's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

It has a slow start, but then you get to know the characters, you empathize with them, the rhythm of the story picks up and you don’t want to put it down.