Reviews

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

karenglez's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

zimmerlemon's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

4.0

This is hard to rate tbh. Some beautiful writing! Really interesting. The ending

is fitting but also upsetting but even then, upsetting because it’s real that it might be that way rather than all tied up with a bow or happy ending.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Sexual content and Violence

mariefleurie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

enolip's review against another edition

4.0

It was okay. Nothing against the book, just I’m bad at fictions. I struggle to stay constant.

rockin_robyn's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

franzis_buecher's review against another edition

4.0

I saw the movie adaptation a few years ago and it was interesting to see some plot points resurface in my memory as I read the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Antisemitism, Homophobia, and Death of parent

bperl's review against another edition

2.0

A toxic dump of racism, profanity, and graphic sexual content veneered by a decent story and superb writing. Baldwin has serious chops, so it’s saddening to see this monstrosity emerge from the pages.

Give this one a miss and go read something worthwhile.

spiritlesscatalyst's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

manderly's review against another edition

4.0

For such a sad book it was strangely optimistic 
…
That’s not the right thing to say; it being optimistic wasn’t strange at all

dylansb's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75