Reviews tagging 'Death'

O Quarto de Giovanni by James Baldwin, Paulo Henriques Britto

181 reviews

michaelion's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

Automatic negative points for being pro-Paris / pro-France and using the French language. AUTOMATIC !!!!!! I can't help my dislike, nay I say hatred of those baguettes!

Negative points also for the main characters, all characters being white. I understand that the story couldn't be told without them being white. It's just hard for me to relate to white stories. I don't understand them. Usually when I read them I think "Okay but you don't have real problems. Why are you complaining?" Which is only halfway a joke. 55% a jape.

I did relate to the main character however. For future me reading this, you just broke up with your first girlfriend. You only related in some, a few ways, not completely, but it was noticeable.

Despite my criticisms the writing was lovely. It feels like thee queer/gay book that mothered or grandmothered queer books. I loved the brief analysis into gender and heteronorms. It came out of nowhere but it really stood out. Every thing you feel for the first time has already been felt by the rest of humanity a billion times over. I also love when classics can still be relatable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Abandonment, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Alcoholism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia

Minor: Miscarriage, Confinement, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Car accident, Biphobia, and Death of parent

serena_hien's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Death

centaurstesticle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Murder, Death, and Homophobia

petrichorandcoffee's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.75

A lovely book, I'm very glad I read it. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is that I don't like the way the book talks about/characterizes women. But, I trust that this characterization is a reflection of the individuals in the book and not a remark about women in general, so I still enjoyed reading it very much. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Murder, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity

grp101's review against another edition

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, and Homophobia

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Death

caramelcaylee's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Death

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

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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. 

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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.

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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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Transphobia

Minor: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia