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beauytoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Xenophobia
uparrowhead's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Nobody can stay in the Garden of Eden"
I feel like there's nothing that I can truly put into words about this book that can do justice to the experience of reading it. Traversing through the pages of sorrow and melancholy of this novel felt like an unraveling journey that was slowly breaking me apart with each turn.
A classic which I think is a necessity to read for any queer person, James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room explores the turmoiled life of David – a man who left America in search of a more free life in Paris – and the developing relationship between him and Giovanni. Through the meandering narrative of David's life and the memories which he slowly recalls of both the past and the present, you're thrust into a story of depressing beauty laced in love and pain.
Conflicting sadness between desire and disgust mixes within the incredible writing and language of this novel, creating a fantastical read that I loved from start to finish. Reading through David's hatred for his own sexuality and the perpetual limbo he seems to be in when it comes to how he feels for Giovanni makes for a truly heart wretching story that I don't think I'll ever forget.
Accelerating, tragically romantic: an incredible story that I will never recover from, which brought me to tears by the end. I can't stress enough how masterfully crafted this is, and all I can ask is for more people to read the sickeningly beautiful narrative this remarkable novel puts through.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Hate crime, and Pregnancy
mayze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
perleerose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia
berthe's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, and Toxic friendship
zeynepbinbasioglu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
theremightbecupcakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
emilo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Grief, and Murder
biblioghoul's review
- 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
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Grief, Outing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism