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sarahwalton429's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
2.0
maramarcos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
andreatorreslanda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
motherbeetle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarah_kula'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tinevogue's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Loved parts of it, but never felt like I could get lost in it. I know religion was the point but it was still..a lot. Florence was the GOAT tho
blissfullyreading's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
linnlivesinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
rest in peace james baldwin you would have loved preachers daughter by ethel cain
In James Baldwins first novel he says that he had to deal with what hurt him most, he had to deal with his father.
The book follows Johnny on his 14th birthday in New York 1935. Although the novel only follows him on one day you get to read about the past aswell. The novel begins and ends with Johnny but in between you get to read from the point of view of his aunt Florence and understand what she's doing there that day and also about her past in the south and her first years in New York. The same goes for Johnnys mother and father, you get to read from their perspectives about Johnnys birthday in New York and their lives in the south. The book is written with the bible as a focal point and has several passages and hymns from their church. Baldwin borrows the bible to drive a point home. As Johnnys father is a preacher and the church is his life work and in extension the center of the family. As the eldest boy Johnny fells it is his responsibility to become a preacher too.
Johnny carries a secret, a sort of feeling he yet doesn't understand but knows is wrong, something that his father would hate. All Johnny wants is to be good enough but he doesn't know how and why he should want it. On his birthday he moves through New York, and goes to the cinema and think how life would be if he lived in that part of town. He goes to church and looks up to Elisha, the priests nephew and how he moves with the religion.
This book took me by surprise and I can now proudly say it is one of my favorite books ever. If I ever do write something I want it to be like Go Tell it on the Mountain.
Every word is laced with so much feeling and meaning.
Despite it being only 250 pages it manages to bring up so many themes and complex characters. No matter of what religion you practice or don't practice there will be something for you in this book. And of course talks about the segregation in the US at the time, the move from the south to search for a better life. All around educational.
This story has come straight from the heart of Baldwin, with all the real pain and experiences.
In James Baldwins first novel he says that he had to deal with what hurt him most, he had to deal with his father.
The book follows Johnny on his 14th birthday in New York 1935. Although the novel only follows him on one day you get to read about the past aswell. The novel begins and ends with Johnny but in between you get to read from the point of view of his aunt Florence and understand what she's doing there that day and also about her past in the south and her first years in New York. The same goes for Johnnys mother and father, you get to read from their perspectives about Johnnys birthday in New York and their lives in the south. The book is written with the bible as a focal point and has several passages and hymns from their church. Baldwin borrows the bible to drive a point home. As Johnnys father is a preacher and the church is his life work and in extension the center of the family. As the eldest boy Johnny fells it is his responsibility to become a preacher too.
Johnny carries a secret, a sort of feeling he yet doesn't understand but knows is wrong, something that his father would hate. All Johnny wants is to be good enough but he doesn't know how and why he should want it. On his birthday he moves through New York, and goes to the cinema and think how life would be if he lived in that part of town. He goes to church and looks up to Elisha, the priests nephew and how he moves with the religion.
This book took me by surprise and I can now proudly say it is one of my favorite books ever. If I ever do write something I want it to be like Go Tell it on the Mountain.
Every word is laced with so much feeling and meaning.
Despite it being only 250 pages it manages to bring up so many themes and complex characters. No matter of what religion you practice or don't practice there will be something for you in this book. And of course talks about the segregation in the US at the time, the move from the south to search for a better life. All around educational.
This story has come straight from the heart of Baldwin, with all the real pain and experiences.
erinfinn5's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
I love you James Baldwin