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coltontrowbridge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
hobbitfreddie's review against another edition
4.0
To me this is a combo of A Time to Love and a Time to Die and Maurice. Anyways references aside this is a fantastic little novel. It's short and wastes no time setting up drama, tragedy, and some good themes/things to chew in.
The book isn't a simple gay romance, it's a pretty deep delve into life too. Giovanni and David certainly aren't literature's gay power couple (that honor goes to Maurice Hall and Alec Scudder). But it works, because of the themes and ideas presented in the book. But you still root for them, and it's tragic in that way I guess. The characters feel so real, and so you feel for them.
Not much really happens until the halfway mark, and that's where the book really shines. I feel like you could have some fun dissecting this book, especially the last half.
Anyways the prose is pretty good too, not too flowery, and not too simple but good enough to invoke emotion and that kinda stuff. This book makes me want to look into Mr. Baldwin's other works.
The book isn't a simple gay romance, it's a pretty deep delve into life too. Giovanni and David certainly aren't literature's gay power couple (that honor goes to Maurice Hall and Alec Scudder). But it works, because of the themes and ideas presented in the book. But you still root for them, and it's tragic in that way I guess. The characters feel so real, and so you feel for them.
Not much really happens until the halfway mark, and that's where the book really shines. I feel like you could have some fun dissecting this book, especially the last half.
Anyways the prose is pretty good too, not too flowery, and not too simple but good enough to invoke emotion and that kinda stuff. This book makes me want to look into Mr. Baldwin's other works.
cdog859's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
laura_sophie_marie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really liked the writing style and how Baldwin was able to describe emotions. Though I did not really connect with the Story and the first half was very boring to me. I dont care about the nightlife and alcohol at all. The second halt was way better. One thing I cannot get over was that the book is full of misogynist speech and statements. That made it very hard to read.
camteddybell's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
franwyyazg's review against another edition
tense
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
4.5
calebmatthews's review against another edition
5.0
Really well done. I love how it is both artistically/philosophically told, while still telling an intriguing story.
Not a huge fan of Hella or the reason for Giovanni’s death.
Notes below
Giovanni’s Room
Nothing is more unbearable, Once one has it, then freedom.
affairs are sometimes just pretentious masturbation
There will come a time when nothing and no one will rule you
My father wanted me to come home and settle down. Whenever he said that, I thought of the sediment at the bottom of a stagnant pond.
We wait to make sure.
Has your waiting ever helped to make sure?
Why are my encounters shameful? It’s like putting an electric plug in a dead socket: touch, but no contact.
The idea of a love affair not being safe because the other person might change you.
If you play it safe long enough you’ll end up trapped in your dirty body forever and forever and forever and forever.
Prison might be worse than dying, because it is being alive without living.
One day you will go home and find that home isn’t home anymore.
“I hope you believe me when I say that when I was lying…I wasn’t lying to you.” (David talking to Hella about lying to himself)
Not a huge fan of Hella or the reason for Giovanni’s death.
Notes below
Giovanni’s Room
Nothing is more unbearable, Once one has it, then freedom.
affairs are sometimes just pretentious masturbation
There will come a time when nothing and no one will rule you
My father wanted me to come home and settle down. Whenever he said that, I thought of the sediment at the bottom of a stagnant pond.
We wait to make sure.
Has your waiting ever helped to make sure?
Why are my encounters shameful? It’s like putting an electric plug in a dead socket: touch, but no contact.
The idea of a love affair not being safe because the other person might change you.
If you play it safe long enough you’ll end up trapped in your dirty body forever and forever and forever and forever.
Prison might be worse than dying, because it is being alive without living.
One day you will go home and find that home isn’t home anymore.
“I hope you believe me when I say that when I was lying…I wasn’t lying to you.” (David talking to Hella about lying to himself)
tracie's review against another edition
4.0
I was only vaguely aware of James Baldwin prior to seeing the outstanding "I Am Not Your Negro" documentary. I left the cinema immediately needing to read some of his work and Giovanni's Room was the only one of his novels that the library had. This tiny novel packs a hell of a punch especially given that it was written in 1956.
An engaged American man in '50's Paris begins a tortuous love affair with the titular Giovanni. Much angst, self loathing and heart break ensues. Exquisite.
An engaged American man in '50's Paris begins a tortuous love affair with the titular Giovanni. Much angst, self loathing and heart break ensues. Exquisite.