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Giovanni's Room

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Giovanni's Room

By: James Baldwin
Narrated by: Matthew Bomer, Kevin Young
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

David, a young American in 1950s Paris, is waiting for his fiancée to return from vacation in Spain. But when he meets Giovanni, a handsome Italian barman, the two men are drawn into an intense affair. After three months David's fiancée returns and, denying his sexuality, he rejects Giovanni for a 'safe' future as a married man — a decision that will bring tragedy, longing and regret.

'Audacious... remarkable... elegant and courageous' Caryl Phillips

'Exquisite, a feat of fire-breathing, imaginative daring' Guardian

'Gorgeous, fearless, tempered by dark knowledge and pain ... the greatest American prose stylist of his generation' Colm Tóibín

'A layered exploration of queer desire ... It is electric' Hilton Als

©1956 James Baldwin (P)2024 Penguin Audio Classics Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Psychological World Literature Tear-jerking France

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Critic reviews

The whole novel is a kind of anatomy of shame, of its roots and the myths that perpetuate it, of the damage it can do. (Garth Greenwell)
It has a level of angst and heartbreak I am yet to find anywhere else (Troye Sivan)
A mesmerizing book (Chris Abani)
All stars
Most relevant  
If you can’t do a foreign accent just don’t do it, it’s cringe and ruins the whole experience! You’ve managed to butcher both the French and the Italian accent.

Poorly performed accents are offensive

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Great story evoking post-war Paris and innocent but passionate love. Powerful delivery holding in suspension and slowly delivering explanation.

Giovanni s Room

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Matt Bomer brings this incredible story to life with emotion and great skill. Can't recommend highly enough.

Beautiful story and outstanding narration

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Surprisingly contemporary story given how long ago it was written, Baldwin reveals the contradictions and anguish of a man struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. The book is powerful and insightful.

What a powerful story

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When David meets the sensual Giovanni in a bohemian bar, he is swept into a passionate love affair. But his girlfriend’s return to Paris destroys everything. Unable to admit to the truth, David pretends the liaison never happened – while Giovanni’s life descends into tragedy...
Initially I felt this was an historical artifact from a time when people were not allowed to be who they are and wondered was there any point to it. Because it was this month's book club group I went back and I am glad I did. Yes it is a tragic story from a cruel time, but it stands on its own as a very sad love story. We get so much insight into the narrators mind and all the other characters, especially Giovanni, are vivid. It is a thin book, however there is so much in it that I will soon take another go at it and I am sure I will find more again.

POIGNIANT STORY WELL TOLD.

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