A review by gvstyris
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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

5.0

No matter how it seems now, I must confess: I loved him. I do not think that I will ever love anyone like that again. 

I'm very grateful to Baldwin for this book's existence, and will be fighting to protect its rightful place in the queer literary canon going forward 🥲

The non-linear structure, Baldwin's beautiful prose, the overwhelming and lowkey cloying atmosphere (I'm so nostalgic for Paris!), the parallels drawn between homophobia and misogyny...man. Baldwin's portrayal of internalised homophobia is powerful and endlessly relevant, particularly considering Giovanni's Room was published almost 70 years ago.

I'll definitely be checking out more of Baldwin's work! 

I dropped my brick and went to him. In a moment I heard his fall. And at moments like this I felt that we were merely enduring and committing the longer and lesser and more perpetual murder.
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