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bookish_alone's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Truly an enchanting read. Made me slow down and just soak every single word in, taking everything fully. Loved it so much.
elyseyost's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
The prose is beautiful and thoughtful. The dialogue between characters is so natural and flows better than most other books I’ve read. Baldwin has a way of revealing his characters and their motivations so artfully throughout the story, while simultaneously revealing truths about their social and cultural fabric. He addresses the most daunting social and personal conflicts. His writing is a poignant observation of the world.
That being said, there were parts that were really hard to get through because of the misogyny, which is entrenched in not only the character’s, but (I would argue) Baldwin’s mindset as well. It was kind of disturbing how often people, mostly women, were described as “like a child” or “like a little girl” during sexual scenes. Baldwin also seems to have given all the women in the novel some weird fantasy about being “overtaken” and “forced” by men that comes too close to rape in my opinion.
kian_bri's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
suburbskid's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
modernlove5's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A bit slow at times but deeply affecting.
a2lulu's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a fan of Baldwin's other writing, but I was disappointed by this book, although I'm glad I read it. There's an interesting article in the New Yorker from 2009 that articulates some of my reaction. The only thing I'd add is that the portrayals and attitudes toward women were problematic at times and the incestuousness of the friend group seemed over the top to me.
"A sprawling book that brought together Baldwin’s concerns with race and sex, its daring themes—black rage, interracial sex, homosexuality, white guilt, urban malaise—make an imposing backdrop for characters who refuse to come to life. A black jazz musician who plummets into madness because of an affair with a white woman; a white bisexual saint who cures both men and women in his bed—the social agenda shines through these figures like light through glass. More than anything else, the book reveals Baldwin’s immense will and professionalism; like the contemporary best-sellers “Ship of Fools” and “The Group,” it suggests a delicate and fine-tuned talent pushed past its narrative limits in pursuit of the “big” work. Baldwin claimed to be going after the sound of jazz musicians in his prose, but aside from some lingo on the order of “Some cat turned her on, and then he split,” the language is stale compared with his earlier works—or compared with the burnished eloquence of his next book, which shook the American rafters when it was published, in early 1963."
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/02/09/another-country
"A sprawling book that brought together Baldwin’s concerns with race and sex, its daring themes—black rage, interracial sex, homosexuality, white guilt, urban malaise—make an imposing backdrop for characters who refuse to come to life. A black jazz musician who plummets into madness because of an affair with a white woman; a white bisexual saint who cures both men and women in his bed—the social agenda shines through these figures like light through glass. More than anything else, the book reveals Baldwin’s immense will and professionalism; like the contemporary best-sellers “Ship of Fools” and “The Group,” it suggests a delicate and fine-tuned talent pushed past its narrative limits in pursuit of the “big” work. Baldwin claimed to be going after the sound of jazz musicians in his prose, but aside from some lingo on the order of “Some cat turned her on, and then he split,” the language is stale compared with his earlier works—or compared with the burnished eloquence of his next book, which shook the American rafters when it was published, in early 1963."
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/02/09/another-country
buffysangels's review
emotional
- 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
lialeahlio's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
James Baldwin scratches a certain itch in my literary brain whenever I read anything by him.
The techniques he uses to form these passages that convey a deeper meaning about the overarching theme is rhythmically satisfying. His dialogues reads like music, with conversations tip toeing around something unspoken yet screaming with emotion and ticking to explode with every page turn. In Another Country, Baldwin explores the depths of sex and race from the lens of characters who are interconnect by their grief, suffering, and challenges living in New York during the civil rights movement. Baldwin takes us on an emotional journey of self discovery through discussions about masculinity, love, and relationships by comparing the experiences of each character and their relationships with each other.
Personally, if I dissect this whole book I could make essays upon essays on it because its so rich. I will always be in awe of Baldwin's capability as a writer that masterfully mixes music, through lyrics from songs and repetition, in his prose. Once you see the techniques he uses you can't unsee them. It's absolutely insane.
The techniques he uses to form these passages that convey a deeper meaning about the overarching theme is rhythmically satisfying. His dialogues reads like music, with conversations tip toeing around something unspoken yet screaming with emotion and ticking to explode with every page turn. In Another Country, Baldwin explores the depths of sex and race from the lens of characters who are interconnect by their grief, suffering, and challenges living in New York during the civil rights movement. Baldwin takes us on an emotional journey of self discovery through discussions about masculinity, love, and relationships by comparing the experiences of each character and their relationships with each other.
Personally, if I dissect this whole book I could make essays upon essays on it because its so rich. I will always be in awe of Baldwin's capability as a writer that masterfully mixes music, through lyrics from songs and repetition, in his prose. Once you see the techniques he uses you can't unsee them. It's absolutely insane.
thapacki's review
5.0
A story about love, race and the ugly stigma of going against what society declares is normal. The first word to I would use to describe this book is that it is raw. The characters don't hold back on what they want to say or do. At time hard to get through because of the tough topics but well worth the read.