Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

212 reviews

mdahg's review against another edition

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

3.5

Since finishing this book, I’ve read some reviews and critiques online and I have to agree with what I’ve seen. 

This book is beautifully written. Baldwin’s prose elicited so many emotions from me. I feel like everyone can relate to having a toxic relationship and being codependent with a partner- those are difficult feelings to reflect on. David is a complex character and everyone around him is calling him out for being an unkind, cold person. I felt like I knew David and could relate to his confusion about himself and constant anxiety about who he is as a person. 

Though this was obviously an influential and important novel for queer literature, it was problematic which made it hard to read in 2025. The transphobia, internalized homophobia, misogyny/sexism were very apparent. Was this a reflection of the times or the author’s personal feelings? I’m not sure but either way, it really affected my enjoyment of this story. 
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annaboudinot's review

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

5.0

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welaneyding's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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confexxi_history's review against another edition

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4.0

Not a happy story. Lots of internalized homophobia as well as slur.  Please know that the french words refering to gay men here are also slurs do not use it. 


There is talk about mysogyny, gender identity questionning. The book is also critical of death penalty. 
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zjricker's review against another edition

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

4.5

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biobeetle's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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mxallan's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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wildflowercrypt's review against another edition

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

4.0

 man, i’m having a hard time digesting this one. a sobering look at the pain and self-hatred queer people lived with and internalized, even in places like mid-1950s France where homosexuality was no longer criminalized but still came with massive social stigma.

    David was hardly a likeable protagonist, and yet part of me still felt such compassion for him even as i watched his self-loathing destroy, not only himself, but everyone around him. a complex, tragic story of a man unable to accept himself, or the love he desires. Baldwin is a masterful writer; looking forward to reading more of his works. 
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ellie_1997's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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

4.0

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devilsminion's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Eu queria ler esse livro há décadas e finalmente consegui, embora fosse em português e não em o idioma original.
É incrível como em um livro tão curto Baldwin aborda tantos assuntos relevantes da experiência queer. Em muitos pontos da leitura, tive que fazer pausas para respirar e reflexionar, porque ele capturou tão perfeitamente aquele medo e paranóia de não se permitir ser quem você é e francamente é deprimente quão relevante ainda é hoje em dia.
Apesar de ser um livro muito triste estou feliz por ter lido.
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