Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Giovanni's Room

I took my sweet time with this because I couldn’t get past the first chapter without crying and wanting to wail. Not to be dramatic but I was punched and kicked in the gut several times and by the end I was utterly devastated, scrubbed raw, and terrified for my own life. I unfortunately resonated with David’s character to such an uncomfortable degree that I had to take several breaks reading this (although I did do a lot of research on James Baldwin’s activism in the interim. He is a magnificent writer and orator).
I cannot stress how much I hated reading Giovanni’s Room /pos and now I am obsessed with James Baldwin’s writing and I am so excited to read his other works—ESPECIALLY HIS ESSAYS. TO ME, PERSONALLY, this book was like a free therapy session that came with a very alarming liability waiver.

Content Warnings

archiedh's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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dsinocruz's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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bearbutch's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Absolutely beautifully written. Casually drops in the most incredible analysis of life in a single sentence in the middle of a random paragraph. All the characters are complex with obvious flaws.

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hayliosreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

James Baldwin is somewhat of a revolutionary author, as well as a giant stepping stone in queer literature. Giovanni’s Room follows David, a somewhat stereotypical American in the 1950’s, wandering around Paris, France trying to find his meaning in life. While waiting for his love – Hella – to arrive back from Spain after needing time to think about their impending marriage.

David and his controversial older friend Jaques; encounter Giovanni, who is a bartender at a local pub. As the friendships escalate, David and Giovanni intertwine into a somewhat relationship. However, it shows how in-depth homophobia is, especially internal and personal homophobia. Creating more conflict as well as passion, the tenderness and the love their share in the shadows, shows no struggles and suggests freedom.

Baldwin created this progressing piece of work which coincides with reality; knowing that in the 1950’s, homosexuality was not liberated and therefore not a freedom that Baldwin so badly wanted for David; maybe even himself.

Although based on Davids’ perspective throughout the novel, it gives us a wider angle of how American and French society creates a challenging political stance, to which race is also thrown in to this dense and heartbreaking read.

With the novel ending in the death of Giovanni and David being alone, creates a shallow deception of what their love could have been if homophobia, race and class was not an issue. But could their love had survived with all these issues anyway? I think so.

My opinion on this book is hard to convey in to writing, mainly because I don’t think it matters. In order to understand the emotions this book will put you through, you really need to read it yourself – which I strongly recommend.

If you identify as queer and read this, you may relate to David in a way. His struggle with sexuality and his sense of self created a spiral of self-doubt, loss of masculinity, and his inability of acceptance of himself, but also Giovanni and the love between them.

I can say that you are washed with sadness as the novel progesses; when David selfishly messes with Giovanni’s feelings and leaves him to fend for himself almost – surrounded by predators like Jaques – your heart will break with the downfall of the handsome Italian bartender that leads to his death of hanging.

A novel ahead of its time; a tragedy based on love.

Content Warnings

kitandink's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

not heterosexual, not pro-gay rights, but a secret, third thing

(okay on a serious note, this is my first time reading baldwin and it was brilliant. his prose - there's an urgency in it. like he's sat in a chair across from you, holding your gaze intensely, and going, "listen. listen to this.")

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amy_q13's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

5.0

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