Giovanni's Room is very well written and is a good story. I definitely liked the book, but I could not give it a higher rating because it is so depressing.

The story is just filled with so much contempt. It definitely reflects the hidden shame many LGBT individuals have experienced and still do experience, but man, it feels heavy.

Baldwin writes in such a way, that every other paragraph contains a quotable line- he has a way with words.

I would recommend the book.