A review by frozel
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

“Giovanni’s Room” unfolds the tale of David, a man who struggles to accept his homosexuality and, in the guise of suppression, leads a life of misery.

In an attempt to forge a new life in Paris, David meets and starts dating Hella. However, before their relationship becomes too serious, Hella decides she needs time away to understand what she wants and flees to Spain. Despite this setback, David encounters Giovanni, and a swift connection forms, unsettling him. Despite his conscious resistance, he starts a relationship with Giovanni, and they unofficially move in together, leading to a downward spiral. 

Giovanni and the room the two inhibit, inadvertently bring forth what David desperately sought to escape by coming to Europe. With Giovanni’s needs stacking up to be more than what he wants to handle and Hella’s awaiting return, David struggles to maintain the facade that he so long ago constructed and settled into. 

David goes on and on about his need to escape the room he and Giovanni reside in. David’s desperate desire to escape the room is deeply tied to his need to escape himself. The relationship he built with Giovanni, their shared experiences, and Giovanni himself serve as reminders of what David has spent his entire life suppressing. His struggle reflects the disheartening reality for many men facing similar challenges. The relentless battle against all things outside the norm gives way to many folk believing that they must wage war against themselves, thus propelling them into self-destructive lives. “Giovanni’s Room” illustrates how the absence of queer acceptance inhibits everyday individuals. 

While my appreciation for James Baldwin has deepened, I remain unsure how I feel about the story overall. Therefore, this review is provided without a rating. What’s more crucial is the reflection on David’s actions and the societal context that led to them.