James Baldwin: Early Novels & Stories (LOA #97)

I always enjoy diving into Baldwin's profound and moving works! I just finished reading the first two books of this four book compilation. They offer a lot to discuss and reflect upon, making them perfect for an online class I am taking this summer through Eckerd College. Giovanni's Room is a powerful story about love, identity, and self-acceptance. It centers around David, an American living in Paris, who struggles with his feelings for Giovanni, an Italian bartender. Baldwin dives deep into the complexities of David’s emotions as he grapples with his sexuality and societal expectations. The story takes place mostly in Giovanni’s small, claustrophobic room, which becomes a metaphor for David’s trapped feelings. Baldwin’s writing is beautiful and raw, making you feel every bit of David’s confusion and pain. It's a heartbreaking read but also incredibly insightful about the human condition. Go Tell It on the Mountain is semi-autobiographical and tells the story of John Grimes, a teenager in 1930s Harlem, and his relationship with his family and his faith. The novel explores themes of religion, guilt, and redemption. Baldwin vividly depicts the struggles of growing up in a strict religious environment. The book is divided into three parts, with flashbacks providing background on John's family members and their own battles. Baldwin’s rich prose and deep understanding of his characters' inner lives make this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read. Both books display Baldwin’s incredible talent for exploring complex emotions and social issues. His characters are deeply human, facing struggles that many can relate to. If you enjoy thought-provoking literature that tackles important themes like identity, love, and faith, both Giovanni's Room and Go Tell It on the Mountain are must-reads.

This is a volume in the Library of America series, so it is a handy size, packs a lot in (LoA uses thin paper, so volumes run 900-1000 pages), presents reliable editions, has a bookmark ribbon built in, is a durable, high-quality clothbound volume, and is a very good value. I've read a lot of Baldwin's prose, mainly about race in America, and find it eloquent, deeply intelligent, and powerfully moving. I had never gotten around to reading his fiction, but I'm very glad I got into it. I started with "Giovanni's Room," a short novel set in Paris. The narrator is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality--even just to figure out what it is. There are very luminous, very beautiful pages about Paris itself. The dialogue is engaging and intelligent--characters talk about their feelings as they struggle with what they want, what their deepest values are, and draw closer or farther apart in their relationships with each other. Baldwin is a very good, very thoughtful writer. I look forward to reading more of his fiction, and I particularly recommend these LoA volumes.

There isn't anything that James Baldwin has written, and that I have read, that I did not like. I feel he is such a wonderful author and some of the quotes and saying from James Baldwin are ones you can actually live by because they are so true. My favorite quote from his is “You have to go the way your blood beats. If you don't live the only life you have, you won't live some other life, you won't live any life at all.”- James Baldwin I would recommend this book and any books or writings by James Baldwin as must reads.

Excellent stories by Baldwin. He is masterful. I have not anticipated the craftsmanship of the binding. The book lies completely flat on a surface if you choose. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a book of this quality in my hands. I will be looking for other books by this publisher. Absolutely worth the purchase.

This was another gift for my pastor and he loves it

Powerful ideas and poetic language. I only wish he were with us today. His passionate fury was only surpassed by his loving forgiveness. Do yourself a favor and read as much Baldwin as you can...start with his “letter to my nephew” if you want a taster of his brilliance

James does such a great job on telling his stories that you feel like you are in the room with the characters....very few writers can do this as well. If you are looking to understand racism better or what it is like being a gay man before Harvey Milk read these stories.

This is my first exposure to Baldwin's literature and am enjoying reading his work. My only criticism is as a senior citizen I wish the pages and print were a little larger. Though the book is easy to carry on trips, there is something to be said for a full size book.

Baldwin is the man who could think and pen down his thoughts, which would question your principles and the dogmas of human nature that grew in a hypocritical society. He become this Baldwin even after being born in the race who couldn't read. This collection consists of his early novels and short stories. The paper is thin but ofcourse to include a huge pile of work in a book having thin paper is inevitable. The binding is good and the size of the book is perfect for portability.

👍🏽

It was a real pleasure reading this book. It has the master's quality.

The fact that Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison is the editor of this collection says it all: James Baldwin is that good.

Interesting perception of the fifties/sixties regarding civil rights for gay and African Americans. Decided to read this following reading Baldwin s biography Excellent quality writing painting a very visual picture of the times. I don't usually read fiction but mainly regarding civil rights of the period. Will follow up with reading more of Baldwin s work.