Giovanni's Room
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1950s Paris, David, a young American, waits for his fiancée to return from Spain. While she's away, he falls into a passionate affair with Giovanni, an Italian bartender, in Giovanni's tiny room. Caught between his desire and the life he thinks he's supposed to lead, David makes choices that end in tragedy.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most important novels ever written about love between men, and one of James Baldwin's finest. It's short, intense and devastating.
You'll love it if you liked
Baldwin: A Love Story, The Great Gatsby or A Little Life
Good to know
It's under 200 pages in many editions. It was controversial when published in 1956 and remains deeply moving.
Quick answers
Is Giovanni's Room worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most important novels ever written about love between men, and one of James Baldwin's finest. It ranks #754 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 75.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Giovanni's Room about?
In 1950s Paris, David, a young American, waits for his fiancée to return from Spain. While she's away, he falls into a passionate affair with Giovanni, an Italian bartender, in Giovanni's tiny room. Caught between his desire and the life he thinks he's supposed to lead, David makes choices that end in tragedy.
How long does it take to read Giovanni's Room?
About 7 hours (268 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Giovanni's Room?
If you liked it, try Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.
By the numbers
- Readers96 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller32 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Loved by readers.
Where it ranks
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by James Baldwin
Notes of a Native Son
The Fire Next Time
Go Tell It on the Mountain
