Reviews

The Amen Corner by James Baldwin

lislayh's review

emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sfx_naike's review

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

ari76's review

3.0

James Baldwin's writing is legendary for a reason, and I enjoyed reading this play whose underlying message that being pious comes with a price rang loud and clear. The characters were recognizable, especially those of the church members who simultaneously sang the praises of their priest while taking any opportunity to hasten her fall from race. That being said, I think the play is missing some of the nuance of a playwright who can weave multi-dimensional characters and their dialogue more seamlessly. Still a good read.

christineliu'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

4.0

addisona's review

Fantastic writer. I'm in awe. But I cannot fuck with Christianity right now. I understand its importance and role but I cannot stomach it at the moment. I will return

abithereader's review against another edition

4.5

missaprilnola's review

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

nyiaam's review

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

lilmatt050's review

4.0

I've read James Baldwin before and when searching through plays at my local library I came across James Baldwin's play, The Amen Corner.

I was shocked to believe that he actually wrote not only one but two plays in his lifetime. He is a remarkable writer and the tone of his writing is by far one of the best in English literature.

For his first attempt in playwriting, the story was shocking with how this very influential pastor, Sister Margaret Alexander left her past and created a new one with the help of the church, only by the demise of her ex-husband, Luke (who shows up after ten years waiting for death to parish him) her world crumbles into pieces.

I love the fight scenes between Margaret and Luke, and the hypocrisy between members of the church who wait for the perfect time to destroy all the hard work that Margaret involved herself with the church.

The beginning was rough to focus because after every incomplete sentence, James Baldwin substituted an Amen! Which really got on my nerves!! After the first act, that's when the storyline and climax truly pick up. I recommend this book for anyone who loves characters who live in their paradox or any Toni Morrison readers...

sehammons's review

4.0

"Children. I'm just now finding out what it means to love the Lord. It ain't all in the singing and the shouting. It ain't all in the reading of the Bible. It ain't even - it ain't even - in running all over everybody trying to get to heaven. To love the Lord is to love all His children - all of them, everyone! - and suffer with them and rejoice with them and never count the cost!"

A deeply personal play that touches on universal human needs, and the dangers of blind faith - in this case religious faith, but the same could be said of any sort of tribe or cause. It'll keep me thinking for some time.