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chloebethx_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
sofipitch's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
librocrone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It’s hard to read the descriptions of women in this book without being put off the book in general, which is one of the main reasons I rated this so low. I honestly can’t say if I think it was “just the character’s perspective” or if Baldwin also felt that way about women. Very few women are discussed in any positive terms, and those who are don’t remain so for long. Is it because David is a misogynist? Well, yeah. He’s an American man in the 1950s, of course he’s a misogynist. Is Baldwin a misogynist? Hard to parse. I’d have to look more into his real life politics to come to a conclusion. But it’s not the first or last time a gay man might be a misogynist, if so.
This is a classic for a reason. And I’m so glad we have it as a depiction of queer life, especially before Stonewall. It’s a good story, if made difficult due to censorship and obscenity laws. I wonder what this story could have looked like if US publishing laws had allowed for a happier ending. If queer stories in the 50s didn’t have to end with misery and death. The book is enjoyable on its own, but thinking about it in context is unavoidable, because when David asks, “What kind of life could we have?,” well… we have better answers to that question now.
Moderate: Misogyny, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
iris_garden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Transphobia
romanita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Transphobia
Moderate: Car accident, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
nikyas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Miscarriage
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Death, Abandonment, Murder, and Sexual harassment
hannahmcd94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent