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Giovanni's Room
Giovanni's Room
Author: James Baldwin
Novel by James Baldwin, published in 1956, about the conflict in the sexual identity of a young expatriate American in Paris. — After a single homosexual experience in adolescence, David represses his unacceptable impulses. In Paris, he meets Hella Lincoln. He is determined to live the life that he thinks is expected of a male in white, middle-cl...  more »
ISBN: 42606
Publication Date: 1964
Pages: 224
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Dell
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Giovanni's Room on
Helpful Score: 1
If you're a fan of James Baldwin, I'd advise to stay away from this one-- it's like a low-rent Just Above My Head.

Baldwin, I love you to death, but the white protagonist describing himself: "My face is like a face you have seen many times. My ancestors conquered a continent, pushing across death-laden plains, until they came to an ocean which faced away from Europe into a darker past," is UTTERLY RIDICULOUS. What white person would describe himself that way? Thus opens the cheesiest Baldwin novel I've ever read.

As a sidenote, I'd like to add that the book is probably, comparatively speaking, very good for a book that concerns itself as directly with homosexual love and coming out as it does, because, plainly, Baldwin's style is always thorough and lyrical and profound and deep-acting on the psyche. But compared to his other books and literature in general, it's a stinker.
answerquest avatar reviewed Giovanni's Room on + 197 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the most depressing book I've read this year. It's about a gay man's struggle to deny his sexuality. Published for the first time in 1956, it's a contemporary portrayal of attitudes toward homosexuality. Very powerful.
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reviewed Giovanni's Room on + 3 more book reviews
This was a college read but I ended up loving the story. Its sad and sweet full of life.
reviewed Giovanni's Room on
This is a great book!
reviewed Giovanni's Room on + 20 more book reviews
I loved this book. During the first few pages I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not, but having finished it I'd definitely read it again.
reviewed Giovanni's Room on + 6 more book reviews
A great read.
reviewed Giovanni's Room on + 37 more book reviews
A wonderful book and gay coming of age story!


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