Reviews with content warning for Biphobia - Giovannis Zimmer

This is one of the more fascinating books I've read recently, especially when keeping in mind the context in which it was written - the author was a queer Black American in 1950s.

David, the main character, is written as a white, toxically masculine figure struggling with the indecisiveness and insecurity of being bisexual. This struggle still resonates today. Men like David are still everywhere. Every toxic decision he made just made me hate him so much more. He claims to love Giovanni passionately one minute, and the next minute he wants to rip Giovanni apart. When he voices his hatred of Giovanni, he's really voicing his hatred of himself. He is so unable to accept his queerness and hangs desperately onto his toxic masculinity, until eventually, he has hurt everyone who ever loved him. Giovanni isn't perfect by any means (exhibiting some pretty borderline behavior when he repeatedly states that if David leaves him, he'll die), but he still loves David despite his empty promises and lies. The book is a cautionary tale to not be a huge asshole, especially towards those who love you.

I often wondered why James Baldwin only chose to address either race or sexuality in his novels, but not both. After reading this book I kind of understand why. There is so much shit going on for David, and the tone of the book would have changed if he weren't white.

Content Warnings

charming_killerqueen's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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jaiari12's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

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pyronautphea's review against another edition

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dark 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? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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rachelsuzuko's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.75

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stardiver's review against another edition

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reflective 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

4.0

It's interesting, that's the most fitting word. Writing is interesting, the "mystery" is interesting, the characters are... interesting (slightly derogatory)

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veraspacewalker's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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

3.0

Having just freshly finished this, it's difficult to convey my feelings for this book. The writing is fantastic, Baldwin continues to not disappoint on that front.
Although I can objectively see the likeness and greatness of this book, I can't say that I loved it in a subjective way.
In a way I think of Emerson's words: "neither can any artist entirely exclude (...) the perishable from his book, or write a book of pure thought, that shall be as efficient, in all respects,to a remote posteriority". The never-subtle misonygy and xenophobia is sometimes, but never quite challenged enough, which leaves a sour taste by the end.
I think I'm realizing that I have a hard time finding morally grey characters loveable, but I can't be sure if David can be labelled as such. The characters are incredibly well-rounded (maybe not Hella so much, idk) but never quite loveable, despite knowing where their actions stem from.

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