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wren25's review against another edition
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautiful writing as in most of Baldwin's works. It was rated four instead of five because at times the story and characters felt distant which made a few moments feel unnecessary. I still greatly enjoyed reading it, and found myself thinking about it after. Giovanni deserved better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Murder, and Alcohol
wildflowercrypt's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
nightowlnikk's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a very tragic tale of a closeted man trying to navigate the world as a queer man in the 50s. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it’s very hard for me to take my 2025 lenses off and pretend I am a product of more ignorant times. The book’s prose was gorgeous, and this is one of the most easily digestible classics I’ve read thus far. However, I cannot overlook the rampant misogyny and transphobia.
The only character I enjoy is Hella. JUSTICE FOR HER. I think the internalized homophobia had its place and is not a part of my criticism. I believe the depiction of it to be very well done, but the other stuff seemed superfluous and unnecessary. For instance, there was this section that was just making fun of women but added no value to the story for me. It was just misogyny for misogyny sake.
It’s up to the reader to discern if the problematic characterization of the women, the trans community, and older gay community is just David’s view of the world, or if it’s Baldwin’s beliefs bleeding into the pages. My assumption is that it’s Baldwin being a product of his time. For instance, older gay men are written as sleazy, despicable men. As a 2025 reader, I’m allowed to look at this however I see fit. The problematic aspects of this made me very uncomfortable, though I understand the overall point and perspective of this novel.
It is refreshing to see such an unabashedly queer book that doesn’t rely on reading between the lines or reader interpretation. I just wish the characters were more sympathetic and likable and that it was written with more care to other marginalized identities. I can see why this is a favorite classic, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Transphobia
aristarcodisamo's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Rape
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
bilbili's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Alcohol
miekss's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
elijahcole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
deeply sad story of internalized homophobia that doubles as a critique of white america
read in my intro to queer studies class
read in my intro to queer studies class
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual violence and Xenophobia
kai_ash's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Despite its short length, I read this over several days. It packs a punch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Transphobia
Note that this book was written in a context when it would likely be odd for the character not to have thoughts lined with homophobia, sexism and transphobia. Still, I'm tagging them here so someone doesn't stumble into this expecting a romance in which the only challenge facing the protagonist is whether their love interest loves them back.cloudyworld's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.5
If you, like me, have seasonal affective disorder do NOT read this right now when it's cold and dark because it will make you even more sad than I think it normally would. Incredible prose, visceral and heartbreaking. I've felt like David, Giovanni, and Hela at different times in my life, especially as a young queer person. It's relatable but in the way that Shakespearean plays are relatable: that's a feeling you've felt, but here's a version of it that is amplified with language and drama.
There were many uncomfortable parts, but what is queerness if not something that's uncomfortable sometimes, even if it's just internally?? This was my first James Baldwin book, and I look forward to reading more but maybe not until spring or summer so my heart doesn't feel like it's been so terribly torn from me lmao.
There were many uncomfortable parts, but what is queerness if not something that's uncomfortable sometimes, even if it's just internally?? This was my first James Baldwin book, and I look forward to reading more but maybe not until spring or summer so my heart doesn't feel like it's been so terribly torn from me lmao.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
tpwreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Kicking myself for waiting so long to read Baldwin. Such tragedy described in such beautiful words. Absolutely brilliant pose. Baldwin’s ability to place you at the scene is magnificent to witness. You can almost feel the anguish and sorrow of the characters. Everything is so believable it hurts. Love the Macbeth reference. Everything about this is perfect. A literary masterpiece! Excited to explore more of Baldwin’s work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual harassment