Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

An African American writer and civil rights activist who garnered acclaim for his essays, novels, plays, and poems.

His 1953 novel Go Tell It on the Mountain has been ranked by Time magazine as one of the top 100 English-language novels. In 1953, Baldwin published his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, a semi-autobiographical bildungsroman. He began writing it when he was 17 and first published it in Paris.

His 1955 essay collection Notes of a Native Son helped establish his reputation as a voice for human equality. He continued to experiment with literary forms throughout his career, publishing poetry and plays as well as the fiction and essays for which he was known.

Baldwin's second novel Giovanni’s Room caused great controversy when it was first published in 1956 due to its explicit homoerotic content. Baldwin again resisted labels with the publication of this work. Despite the reading public's expectations that he would publish works dealing with African-American experiences, Giovanni's Room is predominantly about white characters.

Baldwin's third and fourth novels, Another Country (1962) and Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone (1968), are sprawling, experimental works dealing with Black and white characters, as well as with heterosexual, gay, and bisexual characters. Baldwin completed Another Country during his first, two-month stay in Istanbul (which ends with the note, Istanbul, Dec. 10, 1961). This was to be the first of many stays in Istanbul during the 1960s.[

Baldwin was an influential public figure and orator, especially during the civil rights movement in the United States.

Baldwin also has Essays he wrote in the 70s and 80s.

Anyone interested in reading this American author?

I read one of Baldwin's books yesterday: The Fire Next Time

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Excellent review, Luis. It is a powerful book.

I have Giovanni’s Room from the library to start soon.

Kathy wrote: "Excellent review, Luis. It is a powerful book.

I have Giovanni’s Room from the library to start soon."

That was my first approach with Baldwin. I liked it!

I'll be starting Giovanni’s Room soon.

Luís wrote: "I read one of Baldwin's books yesterday: The Fire Next Time

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I agree with your review. It's a great book.

I read Go Tell It on the Mountain a couple of years ago-I highly recommend it.

I'm reading Giovanni's Room at some point this month.

Rosemarie wrote: "I read Go Tell It on the Mountain a couple of years ago-I highly recommend it."

I found this at a secondhand bookstore recently so I plan on this one. I read Giovanni's Room about 20 years ago and remember liking it but I don't remember the actual story well, so it's one I want to revisit eventually.

Rosemarie wrote: "Luís wrote: "I read one of Baldwin's books yesterday: The Fire Next Time

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I agree with your review. It's a great..."

Thank you. It is, absolutely.

I read The Fire Next Time today. It’s so beautifully written yet with so much anger. Baldwin really had a way of being very thought provoking, eloquent and angry all at once. A magnificent writer.

Luís wrote: "I read one of Baldwin's books yesterday: The Fire Next Time

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I really think your review is spot on Luis! Great job :)

Lesle wrote: "Luís wrote: "I read one of Baldwin's books yesterday: The Fire Next Time

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I really think your review is spot on ..."

Thank you, Lesle! I like his writing.

by James Baldwin

Finish date: 13.11.2024
Genre: novel
Rating: B+

Good News: This book was beautifully heart-wrenching.
It is a story so raw and hopeless yet full of love.

Bad News: The ending....it expresses the ultimate feeling of helplessness. Beware of “post-book blues"...I can't shake it off. Baldwin’s way of making this helplesness palpable is unforgettable.

Personal: James Baldwin creates a wonderful love story and at the same time exposing the blatant racisism and corruption in the American judicial system.
#PowerfulBook

Nancy wrote: "Bad News: The ending....it expresses the ultimate feeling of helplessness. Beware of “post-book blues"...I can't shake it off. ..."

His writing is very emotional. He has an amazing way with words.

Appreciate you sharing again!!

There is a fantastic sit down between Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni from 1971 on youtube. Plenty of cigarettes and scotch are on the table. I highly recommend watching it. He often talks over her. He comes off as someone that is desperately trying to explain things about his generation and of men, in general, that he feels she couldn’t possibly understand. It’s a very interesting look at a generational gap. She is very quiet and attentive but does challenge him. It’s a fascinating “interview”.

Chad wrote: "There is a fantastic sit down between Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni from 1971 on youtube. Plenty of cigarettes and scotch are on the table. I highly recommend watching it. He often talk..."

Oh interesting. Thanks for sharing. I'm a fan of both but that's based on little experience of both of them- something I would really like to change :) I expect to get to Baldwin reading next week.

I finished Giovanni’s Room. This is a very well-written story about a young American man, David, and his grappling with his sexuality in 1950s Paris. There is guilt, deceit, violence and passion. I found it astounding.

Kathy I am so glad you commented about this one. It is in my purchase cart!

Lesle wrote: "Kathy I am so glad you commented about this one. It is in my purchase cart!"

I highly recommend it, Lesle.

Kathy wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Kathy I am so glad you commented about this one. It is in my purchase cart!"

I highly recommend it, Lesle."

And me also.

I'm hoping to start Giovanni’s Room tomorrow. Thanks for the recommendation, Kathy and Luís. It helps ease my tension of reading a new author.

I finished Part 1 of Giovanni’s Room. I was so shaken by how beautifully and artistically he writes the story. He switches from past to present without effort. I got goosebumps while reading the story. I'm utterly mesmerised! I've not had this kind of reaction for a book for a long time.

Wow I love hearing that, Piyangie. I almost have vicarious chills hehe

Piyangie wrote: "I finished Part 1 of Giovanni’s Room. I was so shaken by how beautifully and artistically he writes the story. He switches from past to present without effort. I got goosebumps while ..."

I'm glad you liked it. I got goosebumps while reading the story, too.

Piyangie wrote: "I finished Part 1 of Giovanni’s Room. I was so shaken by how beautifully and artistically he writes the story. He switches from past to present without effort. I got goosebumps while ..."

Glad you liked it, Piyangie. I'm going to read more Baldwin, definitely.

I've got a punch of Baldwin's books to add in the future.

Piyangie Im so happy you found him to your liking. He has a stunning way.

He does have an amazingly beautiful way with his words.
I hope to read more as well Kathy!

I finished Giovanni’s Room. Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm hoping to read The Fire Next Time after finishing my current reads. It'll probably be my last read for this year.

Piyangie wrote: "I'm hoping to read The Fire Next Time after finishing my current reads. It'll probably be my last read for this year."

Wonderful choice. That's a shorty one.

I just finished The Fire Next Time. What a powerful writing! I'm falling in love with James Baldwin. I wish I could write like him!

Piyangie wrote: "I just finished The Fire Next Time. What a powerful writing! I'm falling in love with James Baldwin. I wish I could write like him!"

He is magnificent!

Luís wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "I just finished The Fire Next Time. What a powerful writing! I'm falling in love with James Baldwin. I wish I could write like him!"

He is magnificent!"

I am in agreement!

Here's my review of The Fire Next Time: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Excellent review, Piyangie.

Thanks, Kathy!

Outstanding and informative review Piyangie!

Thanks, Lesle.

Your more than welcome!