Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

47 reviews

menomica's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

This book is so tense and at times emotionally demanding, and I mean that in a good way. The way the story unfolds is so incredible. There were moments where I had to put the book down because I was just getting flashbacks of growing up in church 😵‍💫.

I thought we were gonna get a John-gay-awakening arch, but that did not happen

Gabriel is a total bitch, and I love that Florence was there to clear his ass. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Infertility, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and War

milliebrierley's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Suicide

jojo_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Child abuse

Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Suicide

Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Infertility, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, and Slavery

annreadsabook's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

Go Tell It on the Mountain is a true literary masterpiece. The writing is simply stunning. While it’s framed as a coming-of-age novel, it is so much more: it examines religion/spirituality, hypocrisy within the church, the lack of respect and care towards Black women (particularly by Black men), and racism. Moreover, while the novel is bookended by young John Grimes’ exploration of faith, family, and identity, embedded within the book is a deep look into the lives of the people who raised him and who form his community. It is a testament to the ways in which we are in part a product of the people who bring us up and surround us.

Especially as someone who grew up in the Black church (and who still attends a Black church), Baldwin’s depiction of the community within the book was provocative—on the one hand, there is a strong collectivist spirit that pervades the church, and on the other, one’s relationship with God is incredibly personal. Baldwin expertly deals with all of these dynamics and nuances without really hitting you over the head with them. And, while the novel actually covers a lot of topics to varying degrees, it never feels overwhelming. It just feels more like life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Racism

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Domestic abuse

davyjones's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Infidelity, and Infertility

bookstolivewith's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

afriske's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Rape