This is the first (and so far only) James Baldwin book I've read. Of course, he is someone whose work I've seen in the public sphere many times before and it was always so illuminating. So, I came into this book with high expectations. And while Baldwin is clearly a very good writer and his point of view is very fresh, this book sorta disappointed me. There were certainly passages that were beautiful, but overall, the plot seemed to drag a bit. It was all a bit forgettable, in my opinion, but I really want to read some of his other work.