Set in the 1950s Paris of American expatriates, liaisons, and violence, a young man finds himself caught between desire and conventional morality. With a sharp, probing imagination, James Baldwin's now-classic narrative delves into the mystery of loving and creates a moving, highly controversial story of death and passion that reveals the unspoken complexities of the human heart.
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From Library Journal
Baldwin's 1956 novel, his second, was daring for its time, depicting a young man deep into Paris's second expatriate movement following World War II as he grapples with his sexual identity. He is drawn both to his fianc?e and to a male Italian bartender with whom he begins an affair.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"If Van Gogh was our 19th-century artist-saint, James Baldwin is our 20th-century one."
--Michael Ondaatje
"A young American involved with both a woman and a man...Baldwin writes of these matters with unusual candor and yet with such dignity and intensity."
--The New York Times
"Absorbing...[with] immediate emotional impact."
--The Washington Post
"Mr. Baldwin has taken a very special theme and treated it with great artistry and restraint."
--Saturday Review
"Exciting...a book that belongs in the top rank of fiction."
--The Atlantic
"Violent, excruciating beauty."
--San Francisco Chronicle
--Michael Ondaatje
"A young American involved with both a woman and a man...Baldwin writes of these matters with unusual candor and yet with such dignity and intensity."
--The New York Times
"Absorbing...[with] immediate emotional impact."
--The Washington Post
"Mr. Baldwin has taken a very special theme and treated it with great artistry and restraint."
--Saturday Review
"Exciting...a book that belongs in the top rank of fiction."
--The Atlantic
"Violent, excruciating beauty."
--San Francisco Chronicle
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
James Baldwin is masterful in conveying underlying motives. In his book, Giovanni's Room, he deals very tactfully with the moral pitfalls of sexual relationships. The hero, David, is torn between feelings of homosexuality and heterosexual relationships. Far from being the politically correct propoganda most likely to be published today, Baldwin shines the light of his craft on this subject with startling honesty. He shows great insight into the psyche underpinning moral choices. The character development for the main characters is good but could be better for the others. Yet for such a relatively short novel he does a good job. If you want to read a novel that seems to honestly deal with the realities of this subject, this is the one. He shies away from being hyper-critical in a moral sense, yet doesn't attempt to soften the harsh realities of living this lifestyle. Overall, an excellent read.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This has undoubtedly become my favorite book. Never have I had the need to reread a book till I was brought to this book. I could write comments about this book greater in length than the book itself, so I won't say more. It's a book you feel. Like the embrace given to a grieving friend,indescribable.
By Shirley Li
Format:Paperback
It was just so beautiful. Incredaibly moving and emotional. Like Romeo and Juliet, right from the start you are told it's a tragdey, but that didn't stop me from going through the book hoping that it wouldn't be.
When I reached the end, I just sat there motionless. That was how deep the impression was.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where have you been all my life?
One reviewer stated that it was a shame more young readers were not reading Baldwin. It has taken me almost 35 years to discover him. Read more
Published on Feb 6 2004 by Scott T.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true masterpiece
David is an American living in 1950's Paris. He has a finacée Hella, who recently left for Spain to make sure that she is ready to marry him. Read more
Published on Feb 5 2004 by gac1003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece about love and self-acceptance
David is an American living in 1950's Paris, trying to flee from bad memories of home with his father. Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004 by gac1003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why Stop At 5 * When He Can Receive All The * In The Galaxy
As an avid reader, I felt as though I had rediscovered the joy reading can bring after being exposed to Giovanni's Room. The book was not simply written for homosexuals. Read more
Published on Dec 30 2003 by M. Dep
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this Desire?
It is a shame that James Baldwin is so overlooked by the younger generations of readers. There is no parallel to the brilliance in his work and his writing style that is literary... Read more
Published on Oct 28 2003 by Little Old Me
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Matter Where You Go - There You Are
My now-deceased cousin Charles was a gay painter who gave this book to me when I was 16. Back then I followed him around like his shadow, loving his stories of travel and lovers. Read more
Published on Sep 8 2003 by D. Woncisz
5.0 out of 5 stars
my favorite book of all time
i love givannis room so much, james baldwin writes a story that is short and compact, but oh so good. Read more
Published on July 27 2003 by sterling
1.0 out of 5 stars
Another view
I had to read this book for class, otherwise I would have thrown it in the trash. People pay money for this? Read more
Published on Mar 19 2003 by Alex Newberry
2.0 out of 5 stars
And the point was....?
James Baldwin is an overrated writer in my opinion. I've read three of his "best" works and am not just basing this sentiment on one novel. Read more
Published on July 27 2002 by Martha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. Baldwin goes to France
It's possible that James Baldwin's main strength as a writer is his ability to be subtly insightful. He gets his ideas across without overpowering the reader with them. Read more
Published on July 11 2002 by arye orona
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