Book Review - Another Country

[@28Bookmarks]

Thank you for the review! It got me really excited about the book, especially when you talked about the story's structure and the themes.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks! I'm really excited to be discussing it with Danielle. It's such a wonderful book with so many important themes.

[@1book1review]

Great review. I really want to get into his books at some point.

[@browngirlreading]

You definitely should. Excellent writing!

[@WKDowden]

Great review Didi! I can't wait to read this, it's sat on my shelf calling to me now! Really encouraging what you said it being more of the Baldwin that you know from his amazing speeches as that's totally what I love him for and even though I saw that side of him to degree in Giovanni's Room it was quite different. So I can't wait!

[@browngirlreading]

Enjoy! Let me know what you think when you're done.

[@WKDowden]

Thank you! Will do! :)

[@KathleenAnnBooks]

As soon as you held up the book and I saw all of the sticky flags (or whatever they are called) I knew this was a book that I will need to read!

[@browngirlreading]

It's so awesome! I'm sure I'll reread it! It was a real pleasure!

[@lesliereese3176]

Thanks again, DiDi! You know, I read a lot of Baldwin's works when I was young and I only now feel that am "ready" to appreciate his works on a deeper level. Maybe I will give myself a James Baldwin Reading Challenge between now and this time next year!

[@browngirlreading]

Yes you should Leslie. I feel like I'm on an unannounced one already. Loving every minute of it!

[@WhatKamilReads]

Great review, was thinking about reading another Baldwin after Giovanni's Room and it's most probably gonna be Another Country :)

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks! I'm sure you'll enjoy it Kamil. It's by far my ultimate favorite of the four I've read. If Beale Street Could Talk, Giovanni's Room, and Jimmy's Blues. Enjoy! :)

[@imacdiva]

You make me want to read it all over again. Another Country was the first of Baldwin's fiction I had read, after speeches and reading his essays and as you said, it was the Baldwin I knew. I followed with Giovanni's Room and although I enjoyed it; I felt it may have been better to have read Baldwin's fiction before his non-fiction.

[@browngirlreading]

I feel as if I'm a beginner lover of Baldwin. I've only got three books read but I'm dying to keep on reading down the list. Thanks for the compliment on the review. I'm sure I'll reread this one - one day.

[@paraplyen]

I just had to comment! (I know I'm a year late.) I spent all weekend reading this and it was the best weekend because this book was just. so. damn. good. The novel really hit me into the ground. It had this nerve throughout that just wouldn't let go. I couldn't put it down. This has got to be one of my favourite books ever. I read Giovanni's Room a few months ago and I really liked it but it didn't "wow" me in the way that this book did. Incredibly luckily I came across a translation of Going to Meet the Man in a secondhand shop the other day, and it's my next read for sure. But gosh, this book was incredible. Have you read anymore Baldwin? Any books you can recommend because I'm probably going to end up reading everything. I'm now going to watch the live discussion you did with your friend about this book.

[@browngirlreading]

I've also read If Beale Street Could Talk which I enjoyed immensely, but Another Country is my favorite. I also read Jimmy's Blues. I hope to read Going to Meet the Man this month and maybe follow up with The Fire Next Tim in July. Glad to hear you're enjoying Baldwin. He was a master writer!

[@paraplyen]

Thank you, I will search for those titles, absolutely. Again I just have to thank you because it was this review that made me read it. He was indeed a master writer. His writing style is just so fantastic and engaging. I'm in love. Also, unrelated but I was wondering, do you tend to read more books in English rather than in French?

[@browngirlreading]

Yes. I'm an American living in Normandy. When I arrived here over 20 years ago I read all the time in French. I still do read in French but mostly magazines and newspapers and an occasional book. So yes I'm in the second phase of my life and and reading in English is very important to me. :)

[@paraplyen]

Ohhh I thought you were French! How cool that you live in a different country! (I read mostly in English myself but that's mainly because English books are cheaper, plus I learn about interesting books here on booktube.) I found another Baldwin today called "Just Above My Head" secondhand, so I'm delighted. Have a good week. :)

[@browngirlreading]

Wow if you found a Baldwin second hand grab it. They are rare. :)

[@JIovannone]

Great review! I think if you like AC you'll also like Just Above My Head.

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks for the rec! It's already on my TBR! :) Thanks for the compliments and the support!

[@danidanydanieee]

Amazing review! This one is so hard to review because I always see a major spoiler in all the synopses. In fact, before I read it I already knew the spoiler which irritated me. Everything you said was truth! Another Country is quintessential Baldwin. I can't wait to discuss this in more detail with you on Saturday!

[@browngirlreading]

Yes it was difficult. That's why I was hesitating and eyeball rolling up to the ceiling. Trying to just get it out! Can't wait until Saturday absolutely need to talk about this one. Until Saturday....

[@OneBookMore]

Loved this review so much. You are always so eloquent. I still haven't read any Baldwin!!! Would you recommend this as a first Baldwin, or should I start with Giovanni's Room?

[@browngirlreading]

Thanks Kristi! I think you would enjoy deciphering this one. It demands much reflection. It's really, really good. Much deeper than Giovanni's Room. For you, I'd recommend it as a first read. Thanks for commenting!

[@OneBookMore]

Thanks for the recommendation! Adding it to my TBR!

[@scorpion777silvermoon3]

Excellent writer OMG.. Yes the narrator switched a lot