Giovanni's Room
Ratings115
Average rating4.4
Considered an 'audacious' second novel, GIOVANNI'S ROOM is set in the 1950s Paris of American expatriates, liaisons, and violence. This now-classic story of a fated love triangle explores, with uncompromising clarity, the conflicts between desire, conventional morality and sexual identity.
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I read this for the 2017 Read Harder Challenge: Read a Classic by an author of color. And I was reminded, of course, that classics are classic for a reason. This is a moving book, a pleasure to read, and I will probably read it again, just like I revisit Lolita every year or so. This review from the New Yorker is also worth reading.
If you want your heart ripped out by merciless, perfect prose, look no further than this book. As the San Francisco Chronicle described it: “violent, excruciating beauty.”
“You do not,” Giovanni cried, sitting up, “love anyone! You have never loved anyone, I am sure that you never will!”
Damn near perfect.
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When you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
