A review by jairereads
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Being a man is a prison where you are your own warden.

P.S. Spiritually, this is everything I wanted (but didn’t get) from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and Less.

P.P.S. I love how Black authors know how to White characters inside and out, but not so much the other way around…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Gaslighting

Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Grief