Giovanni's Room
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4.5 • 453 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
James Baldwin’s groundbreaking novel whose frank exploration of sexuality and self-acceptance was decades ahead of its time—named one of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the past 100 years
“Baldwin writes . . . with unusual candor and yet with such dignity and intensity.”—The New York Times
In 1950s Paris, a young American expatriate finds himself caught between his repressed desires and conventional morality. David has just proposed marriage to his American girlfriend, but while she is away on a trip he becomes involved in a doomed affair with a bartender named Giovanni. With sharp, probing insight, James Baldwin’s classic novel delves into the mysteries of love and tells a deeply moving story that reveals the unspoken complexities of the human heart.
Customer Reviews
Transported to heaven and hell—
Riveting and as brilliantly illustrated as an indelible, emblazoned painting. A gripping story of love and of the shocking pain of our own humanity. What it can be to grapple with identity, and the victims of untruths.
Quite literally the greatest book of
Baldwin’s eloquence has always baffled me, and this story continues to push society’s understanding of queer expression. I love how he so accurately describes the battle of internalized homophobia and the truths behind how love double dips between its many forms— specifically love for friends and love for romantic partners— and how they look versus how they feel. I am such a huge fan of his work and this story really hit home for me. His imagery alone has me planning a trip to France and my thoughts cannot escape the beautiful and emotional scenes he paints with his words. 12/10 book. I will recommend it forever.
Giovanni’s Room
Although I have paid for the whole book, only one chapter downloaded.