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A review by beanjoles
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written and utterly heart wrenching.
As a queer person I was so affected by this story, as it not only portrays how difficult it is to come to terms with the reality of one’s true depths and desires, but also how much harder that was to do only half a century ago. Gay men have always had it particularly tough; the way western society defines masculinity is rigid and ruthless — it treats homosexuality as a threat, as if loving another man somehow makes you less of one.
Things have certainly been changing, but not so drastically that I didn’t immediately understand David’s fears. David deals with these fears in what I would consider a cowardly way, and he bitterly harms those around him through his inability to choose whether conventional ideals of “morality” matter more to him than what he knows to be true in his heart. But in his shoes, would I not do the same? It’s easy now, speaking from the 21st century, to say that of course I’d follow my queer little heart. Back then, before even the gay liberation movement, that kind of countercultural stance would have been quite difficult to maintain. Many did, to be sure, but I’m sure many did not dare.
Giovanni’s final speech to David broke my heart too. David thought he’d been keeping his lack of engagement secret, but a lover always knows. And Giovanni was right that he did deserve a better life. I wish we’d gotten to know more of him rather than only seeing him as David did, that is to say, as more of a representation of all that he feared and craved rather than as a separate and fulsome person. Obviously that isn’t possible with the framing of the novel, but a gal can dream.
Anyway, back to the book. I’ll definitely be thinking on it for quite a while, and I wouldn’t be surprised to return some day for a reread. For now, I think I’ll be sad and then go hug my partner and be grateful that I am not in the same position as David (or Giovanni!).
As a queer person I was so affected by this story, as it not only portrays how difficult it is to come to terms with the reality of one’s true depths and desires, but also how much harder that was to do only half a century ago. Gay men have always had it particularly tough; the way western society defines masculinity is rigid and ruthless — it treats homosexuality as a threat, as if loving another man somehow makes you less of one.
Things have certainly been changing, but not so drastically that I didn’t immediately understand David’s fears. David deals with these fears in what I would consider a cowardly way, and he bitterly harms those around him through his inability to choose whether conventional ideals of “morality” matter more to him than what he knows to be true in his heart. But in his shoes, would I not do the same? It’s easy now, speaking from the 21st century, to say that of course I’d follow my queer little heart. Back then, before even the gay liberation movement, that kind of countercultural stance would have been quite difficult to maintain. Many did, to be sure, but I’m sure many did not dare.
Anyway, back to the book. I’ll definitely be thinking on it for quite a while, and I wouldn’t be surprised to return some day for a reread. For now, I think I’ll be sad and then go hug my partner and be grateful that I am not in the same position as David (or Giovanni!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Infidelity
Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts