A review by porcelain
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

5.0

What I found lacking in Giovanni's Room in the beginning of the novel is truly made up for by the ending. Specifically, I began to really enjoy my read when Hella showed up. Giovanni and David's misogyny left a sour taste in my mouth, but Hella's appearance and her viewpoints added a much needed perspective to counterpoint and foil this. The metaphor of dirt, David being unable to truly join straight people's lifestyle as he will always be who he can't be, and how his american culture and repression lead to his inability to be with both Giovanni and Hella really do come together in the last few pages.