Reviewed by journalingirl on
It was the first book for Perverts in Groups, my LGBT studies course.
What I though about it?:
Wow. This book was fantastic. Set in the 1950s, an American ex-patriate is living in France, looking back on his life in Paris with Giovanni, his gay lover who is about to die. (I promise, that is not a spoiler. Baldwin says this within the first ten pages.) The book is incredibly poignant and gives a clear idea of the self-hatred and fear homosexual men internalized. In David, the protagonist, readers can clearly see the effect the American mindset has on gay men, even when they are in a place like Paris, which has a much more open, accepting culture of homosexuality. I give Giovanni my hearty recommendation for anyone who is interested in understanding more about the history of LGBT culture (but please keep in mind that this is fiction). If you are looking for a heartwarming story about gay love, I would recommend you look elsewhere.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 10 September, 2014: Finished reading
- 10 September, 2014: Reviewed