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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book expertly examines the impacts of masculinity on sexuality as David struggles to decide who he is and what he truly wants from the people and society around him. The narrative flows pretty smoothly between his past recollections and his present misery while also tying in characters that have a purpose to the overall idea. It was truly difficult reading his perspective as he rejected his feelings because of societal pressures around gender and sexuality. The conversations David shared with both Giovanni and Hella provided poignant introspection, and I especially appreciated Hella’s perspectives on womanhood and motherhood being dependent on men, which tied to well into the overall themes of the book. Baldwin clearly has wonderful prose, but layers it with expertly crafted characters and scenarios to build a story with humanity and depth. This was my first Baldwin and won’t be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Genuinely. I have read so much literature. Books that have made me cry and sob. Books so beautiful, they make me rethink what people are capable of creating. But lord, am I proved time and time again, that there is not a limit to it. I think "oh, this is it, this is the most devastating and beautiful piece of literature I have ever read, nothing can beat this now" and reality is so beautiful as to prove me wrong.
I'm so so grateful that I get to read works like these. Yes, they hurt. Yes, the people are ugly in it, ugly in the things they do, the ways they hurt those around them. But God, God, they are beautiful. Humanity is as beautiful as it is ugly.
We are cable of so much happiness, of so much misery.
James Baldwin, my only wish, is that I could have shared a conversation with you, at least one. Maybe even a silent one. Sat with you for a while. I would tell you thank you, and much more so. But that's only a wish.
Regardless though, thank you. Rest well.
I'm so so grateful that I get to read works like these. Yes, they hurt. Yes, the people are ugly in it, ugly in the things they do, the ways they hurt those around them. But God, God, they are beautiful. Humanity is as beautiful as it is ugly.
We are cable of so much happiness, of so much misery.
James Baldwin, my only wish, is that I could have shared a conversation with you, at least one. Maybe even a silent one. Sat with you for a while. I would tell you thank you, and much more so. But that's only a wish.
Regardless though, thank you. Rest well.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
james baldwin most definitely is the most beautiful writer i have ever encountered. that being said whilst it was a small book it took me a tad longer to read- and it only really got my full interest towards the end. it is definitely a good book and i am sooo looking forward to reading his other stories!!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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