cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews

Henry Fielding is verbose and thinks too highly of himself.
The story is long and drawn out with the ending being rushed comparatively.
I read this for a book club so peer pressure and the need to discuss it intelligently kept me going.
I actually found myself enjoying it as time went on.

I enjoyed the style of writing, and was able to create a mental image of everything easily which allowed me to get involved with the story and keep reading until finished. The story is of a world I have no experience with whatsoever, and I found it difficult to be very empathetic toward more than a couple of the characters.

The "This Is Us" story, a spiritual journey, of a Black teenager, John Grimes, in Harlem and his family in the 1930's. The son (stepson) of an abusive and hypocritical Deacon. A snapshot of one day in the life.....with lots of flashbacks that allow you insights into the lives of everyone involved. I was totally engrossed in the experience. To say I enjoyed it would be a stretch, as it is filled with depressing life circumstances. An excellent read, and I look forward to reading more of James Baldwin's works.

Hard to read. Don't know what I think.

It is a good thing to have friends who can talk you into reading books you would not read. It was worthwhile. Any discussion would be a spoiler. To ponder....am I carrying the fire.