my first ever read starting in 2025, plus my first time reading baldwin. wow. i can't believe i never had to read a baldwin book before. i'm also surprised i never see this book listed as gay literature (albeit it is kinda bordering if totally lgbt). the writing between both characters and the theme of the room and how they are both comforted and trapped was amazing. this truly acts as a window into who baldwin was and what he could only dream of.
READ THIS BOOK NOOOOOWWWW!! this book read me to filth. the mc is depressing, disgusting, tragic - but you want more. you want him (and consequently yourself) to win. you want the tragedy to lead to something good. it is a reflection on today's politics. read it now, to truly understand the real issue of today's society.
(read as an audiobook)
religious horror? extremely morally grey characters? lgbt rep during medieval times? sign me up. though i had trouble comprehending some things bc i don't do well listening to fiction genres, it was still a very powerful read. it's visceral, gut-wrenching, actually gross at times. not for the faint of heart. but the ending makes it worth it all.
a necessity for "sad girl" literature fans. it literally is just that - sad (what do u expect from a book about suicide?) but there's more to it. the dive into the girls' psyches through the nameless males' perspectives is great. you know and understand why they commit, yet at the same time there is still a veil of mystery. beautifully depressing.
