Giovanni's Room (Vintage International)

James Baldwin is a writer of incomparable skill. Take this sample paragraph, which I love and have read over and over:“Behind the counter sat one of those absolutely inimitable and indomitable ladies, produced only in the city of Paris, but produced there in great numbers, who would be as outrageous and unsettling in any other city as a mermaid on a mountaintop. All over Paris they sit behind their counters like a mother bird in a nest and brood over the cash register as though it were an egg. Nothing occurring under the circle of heaven where they sit escapes their eye, if they have ever been surprised by anything, it was only in a dream—a dream they long ago ceased having. They are neither ill- nor good-natured, though they have their days and styles, and they know, in the way, apparently, that other people know when they have to go to the bathroom, everything about everyone who enters their domain. Though some are white-haired and some not, some fat, some thin, some grandmothers and some but lately virgins, they all have exactly the same, shrewd, vacant, all-registering eye; it is difficult to believe that they ever cried for milk or looked at the sun; it seems they must have come into the world hungry for banknotes, and squinting helplessly, unable to focus their eyes until they came to rest on a cash register.”In addition to the beautiful prose, Mr. Baldwin here tells an emotionally painful tale of a man who struggles with his desire for Giovanni, when his world and his morality tell him his desire should be for a woman. Our narrator’s inability to honestly address his own feelings leads to emotional destruction all around and the guillotine for Giovanni. We learn of Giovanni’s fate in the opening pages, and then spend the rest of the novel being fed the details on how this ultimately comes to pass, which is not revealed until the final pages. It is a classic method of foreshadowing which is used to good affect here.If the characters here come across as just a touch overwrought, that is to be expected in a novel that is trying to blister us with the power of emotion, whether kept under wraps or loosed to extremes. In any case, it is a brilliant picture of the world of Parisian homosexual lifestyles, much condemned then, as is much the case for many today. Overall, an excellent read.

Giovanni’s Rooms is a racy novel about homosexuality, betrayal, lust, and drugs and alcohol. This novel was authored by James Baldwin in 1956. During the time era in which this book was written, such openness of homosexuality was adamantly frowned upon. Giovanni’s Room is a novel that was considered extremely provocative in the 1950’s. Whereas now, homosexuality is more acceptable. This novel will have its reader transfixed for hours at time, impatiently waiting to flip the page to see what unfolds on the next page. Giovanni’s Room is definitely a novel that broke boundaries in its era, but it shed light that people do struggle with homosexuality.David, Hella, and Giovanni are the most important characters in this novel. David is a handsome American in his twenties, who is struggling with his sexual orientation, alcoholism finances and honesty. Hella is David’s girlfriend. Hella is in Spain for the majority of the book, essentially weighing her options of continuing a long term relationship with David. Unbeknownst to her, David is sexually involved with Giovanni a very attractive guy, who struggles with alcoholism. Giovanni and David originally met with the intention of a friend named Jacques scoring a night full of passion and satisfaction with him. Jacques who is a lame flirt, essentially goes unnoticed by Giovanni. The night Giovanni and David me they end up being intimate with each other, and that where the book starts to unfold secrets, lies, betrayal and jealously.This novel’s popularity has withstood the test of time to due its nature. Not many people, especially in the past were able to express their curiosity, struggles, and infatuation with homosexuality. Giovanni’s Room defied social norm especially in the 1950’s, and gave people that may have dealt with the issues mentioned above, a sense of normalcy. Although readers know it was a fictional novel, the actual events and struggles were relatable. I also think readers looked at James Baldwin as a hero, not only was a writer, he was an African American gay man, not afraid to break against barriers. People generally look up to others that are able to do such things, and this could be a huge part of why Giovanni’s Room is still popular six decades later.Giovanni’s Room often talks around the actual details of homosexuality, even though the book is apparently about it. For example, his first gay encounter with a friend named Joey, is expressed as follows, “I was ashamed. The very bed, in its sweet disorder, testified to vileness. I wondered what Joey's mother would say when she saw the sheets”. It’s apparent they had sex, but David seems to shy away from blunt details of homosexuality. Although he talks around his homosexuality encounters, he does into grave detail about nearly everything unrelated to his homosexuality. Sometimes his details are a bit run on and unimportant.After reading this book, I immediately knew I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read. James Baldwin is an astounding author, with a character that is fierce and courageous. After reading this book, it gave me a front row seat as to how someone may struggle with being who they really are. Camouflaging ones true identity can and will lead to self-destruct. Prior to reading this book, I viewed homosexuality as I would any sexuality, and that is be with whoever makes you happy. Do not let the sex, race, religion or any other factor deter you away from being with what you love.

“I stand at the window of this great house in the south of France as night falls, the night which is leading me to the most terrible morning of my life.”This is a great opening line and like the rest of the novel, it keeps you guessing and anticipating what comes next after every page. Giovanni’s Room is a beautiful, fast-paced, poignant novel that examines the depths of self-denial a person can put themselves through when they cannot face who they truly are. It also shows the effects social alienation has on these individuals as they come into themselves bit by bit—their triumphs, their failures, and ultimately the consequences of their actions. Each character is sympathetic in their own way and their personalities seem so real you almost want to hug them or hit them throughout the book. Some may cry as they read this novel, some may roll their eyes as they miss the meaning behind each perfectly curated sentence Baldwin lays out for us. But, most likely, you will feel a heavy weight pressing down on your chest as you turn each page to reveal yet another moment that is cause for self-reflection. I think Giovanni’s Room is a lovely, classic, and important read that anyone can identify with even when they least expect it. Go. Read it. Now.