joebs 's review for:

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

4.25

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The writing is so beautiful; I've never written down so many quotes. 

• interesting exploration of the way homophobia alienates people from themselves and society 
• Conversation with Jacques about desire: if you view your desire as dirty, you trap yourself and even when you indulge your desires you cannot be satisfied (25)
• Poor Sue: wants love, also understands what she wants but also that it conflicts with what other people want from her
• David's fantasy of a wife and kids is about safety but safety isn't enough
• Hella is able to leave David (unlike Giovanni) and gives herself a chanceIntersection of class and sexuality involved in the murder of Guillaume by David, 
• David selfish pursuit of respectability and safety: defaults to bulling his first crush, is repulsed by Giovanni's emotional outbursts, sex with Sue. 

"...not many people have ever died of love. But multitudes have perished, and are perishing every hour - and in the oddest of places!- for the lack of it (58).