Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

190 reviews

gewaechshausgeist's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Minor: Murder and Suicidal thoughts

anothersun's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

this book was heartshattering, devastating and cruel. i can't remember when i last felt so much and so deeply from consuming any kind of media. james baldwin has the most beautiful way around words and form i currently can imagine. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Transphobia, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Death, Murder, Misogyny, Miscarriage, and Alcohol

breaklikeafish's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Despite the fact that almost every character in this novel is morally bankrupt, relationships are toxic, and the narrative structure echoes my gripes from my review of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found myself utterly captivated by Giovanni's Room.

Following the escapades of David, a young American in bohemian Paris, the story revolves around his attempts to evade adult responsibilities. David is a whiny, misogynistic character with few redeeming qualities. Yet there's an odd relatability in his admirable reluctance to confront his problems.

I think most of my love for this novel comes from James Baldwin's absolutely stunning writing style. Even as David indulges in long-winded contemplations of his self-imposed suffering, Baldwin weaves prose that is breathtakingly beautiful. Somehow, the author turns David's character, who could easily be off-putting, into someone engaging rather than annoying.

Despite my appreciation for the novel, I will note that I'm sure the transphobic and mysogynistic attitudes of almost all characters can be off-putting to some. I think David's blatant hate for everything feminine fits well with his character and development in the story. However, it leads to conversations between him and Giovanni that almost made me throw my book against the wall.

Hella, David's fiancée and only relevant female character, functions to at least challenge the protagonist's views on women. In the midst of a cast filled with terrible personalities, Hella emerges as a sole beacon of reason, adding depth and a refreshing contrast. She is probably the only character I rooted for.

Giovanni's Room, with its breathtaking prose and engaging story, manages to overcome its flaws to deliver a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. Baldwin's ability to make a narrative filled with mostly unlikable characters compelling is a testament to his mastery of storytelling.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder

Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Child death, and Transphobia

Minor: Outing

anj's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Transphobia

Minor: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia

thomasina's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

Gosh I love this book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia

Minor: Murder

randisworld's review against another edition

challenging dark sad 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? Yes

4.5

Incredibly vivid and sad. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Violence and Toxic relationship

ashsparrow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Alcohol

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Murder

clarkg's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

 It's hard to find the language to describe the devastation that this book wrought upon me. Achingly beautiful. I miss James Baldwin. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Death

Moderate: Murder, Outing, Grief, Sexism, Homophobia, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and War

Minor: Body shaming and Xenophobia

brynalexa's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

Mundane but tragic plot. The characters are beautiful painted even though there is nothing likable about them except for what they hate about themselves. Unique POV. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Death, Misogyny, Grief, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Murder, Outing, Sexual content, Cursing, and Homophobia

mosswood's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

The emotions in this book are so thoroughly and clearly explored through the slightest observations over dialogue. I loved the exploration of gay male love and it’s translation into misogyny. It poses many questions for modern queers. Unfortunately my lack of understanding for the main characters motives sometimes led me to care less about his subsequent actions and therefore story.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Misogyny

Moderate: Murder