A review by rottenjester
The Gold-Rimmed Spectacles by Giorgio Bassani

reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

With this fairly short narrative, Bassani paints a grand picture of the erasure of queer identities under the pressure of conformity.
While I prefer stories where people's suffering is not caused directly by their sexuality (one has to take into account the social context of the novel) this was an insightful exploration of middle-aged queerness.