Quotes from book
Giovanni's Room

Giovanni's Room
James Baldwin

Giovanni's Room is a 1956 novel by James Baldwin. The book focuses on the events in the life of an American man living in Paris and his feelings and frustrations with his relationships with other men in his life, particularly an Italian bartender named Giovanni whom he meets at a Parisian gay bar.

James Baldwin photo

“Much has been written of love turning to hatred, of the heart growing cold with the death of love. It is a remarkable process. It is far more terrible than anything I have ever read about it, more terrible than anything I will ever be able to say.”

James Baldwin book Giovanni's Room

Pt. 2, Ch. 5 - p.139
Giovanni's Room (1956)

James Baldwin photo

“He was silent for a long while. Then: 'You do, sometimes, remind me of the kind of man who is tempted to put himself in prison in order to avoid being hit by a car.'”

James Baldwin book Giovanni's Room

Pt. 2, Ch. 3 - p.104
Giovanni's Room (1956)

James Baldwin photo

“Maybe everything bad that happens to you makes you weaker, and so you can stand less and less.”

James Baldwin book Giovanni's Room

Pt. 2, Ch. 3 - p.97
Giovanni's Room (1956)