A review by mezzarella
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have long admired Baldwin's essays, interviews, and speeches. The way that Baldwin writes with depth and compassion even towards people who worked against him is astounding. This book details religion's oppressive tendencies through the most faithful, discusses racism through the perspectives of the oppressed which help perpetuate it, discusses sexism with such honesty even though Baldwin was not a woman. There is a throughline of bold observation and truth in Baldwin's writings. While I was not personally moved by the importance of faith in this work, I was moved by the way these words encouraged me to find the shared experiences which encourage us to push forward in dark times and learn from our mistakes. 
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