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A review by booksgurrsandpurrs
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"...the kids had been told they weren't worth shit and everything they saw around them proved it. They struggled, they struggled, but they fell, like flies, and they congregated on the garbage heaps of their lives, like flies." pg 36
In 1970's Harlem, two childhood friends, Tish & Fonny, fall in love. Fonny is taken into prison, falsely accused of a horrific crime. Both Tish and Fonny's family struggle to do anything within their means to get Fonny out of his current circumstance. This story weaves through religious hypocrisy, police corruption, systemic racism, a broken justice system and optimism during trying times.
If Beale Street Could Talk lulled me into the love of Tish & Fonny making every obstacle they face feel palpable.
In 1970's Harlem, two childhood friends, Tish & Fonny, fall in love. Fonny is taken into prison, falsely accused of a horrific crime. Both Tish and Fonny's family struggle to do anything within their means to get Fonny out of his current circumstance. This story weaves through religious hypocrisy, police corruption, systemic racism, a broken justice system and optimism during trying times.
If Beale Street Could Talk lulled me into the love of Tish & Fonny making every obstacle they face feel palpable.