Take a photo of a barcode or cover
livlamentloathe 's review for:
Giovanni's Room
by James Baldwin
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really hard for me to get through. Past tense books going back through a life aren't my thing. So I struggled with the narrative in this one. But overall, I think it was a good novel. Just about a very sad queer subject. I wonder how much was the time period (couldn't publish gay happy endings) and how much was purposeful?
Book group brought some interesting insights into my reading. I think much of this novel was inspired by James Baldwin's own life, and I wonder about the overlap. Where is he and where is David? I pitied David, but I was also constantly frustrated by him and his lack of ownership over the implosion of his and Giovanni's lives. I also resent Guillaume and the way he was put on a pedestal at the end, when he really was just a sad, pathetic gay groomer who thought because he helped a young man, that meant he owned them and was owed sexual favors. He was miserable. Jacques wasn't as bad, but I think he resented David's youth and so when he tried to offer advice, it came off as challenging and judgmental.
GAYS ARE BURIED.
Book group brought some interesting insights into my reading. I think much of this novel was inspired by James Baldwin's own life, and I wonder about the overlap. Where is he and where is David? I pitied David, but I was also constantly frustrated by him and his lack of ownership over the implosion of his and Giovanni's lives. I also resent Guillaume and the way he was put on a pedestal at the end, when he really was just a sad, pathetic gay groomer who thought because he helped a young man, that meant he owned them and was owed sexual favors. He was miserable. Jacques wasn't as bad, but I think he resented David's youth and so when he tried to offer advice, it came off as challenging and judgmental.
GAYS ARE BURIED.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Car accident