This was gorgeously written. I loved the nuanced approach it gave to the Pentecostal faith and its intermingling relationship with black struggle through so many different characters. Baldwin was able to tackle gender, race, and class so effortlessly, without any of the pretension or misguided interpretations that many authors have coming at a type of experience (like womanhood) that they do not know. Of course, I write this as a man - yet all of his characters were charged with a vitality and multi-faceted range of feelings and presences that leapt from the page. For Baldwin, in 1953, to also give nods (albeit slight) to the slow murmurings of burgeoning queerness in a main character is impressive and ahead of his time.

The way the story chose singular moments as focal points to then explore, in a radial fashion, so many members of this small black family in Harlem was incredible. Moments mentioned in one narrative would circle back so that they could be seen freshly through each character, lending them layers of insight and depth. I will definitely be reading more by James Baldwin. Still kinda reeling.