Flash Review: Giovanni's Room

[christaward]

Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin, may have the best written introduction I have ever read. The words hit me as physically as a punch to the gut. They sparked my brain and made me relate to the story. I truly felt for the main character as though this book had been written not just for me, but about me, despite not being bisexual or having a deceased mother.

The problem with having such an amazing beginning was that it left nowhere for the story to go. By the end of the prologue the reader is already informed of the major plot points. Giovanni's death is not foreshadowed, it is known. Despite the beautiful lyrical language knowing the ending in the beginning ruined the book for me.

The beginning itself would serve as a great short story. The rest of the book simply felt too long and drawn out after the first five pages.

[Reuben 92]

It's a pity the rest of the book didn't live up to the introduction. I've had my eye on this book for a while and I might pick it up now and see if I want to read past the first five pages... Thanks for reviewing it!