Set in Greenwich Village, Harlem, and France, among other locales, Another Country is a novel of passions—sexual, racial, political, artistic—that is stunning for its emotional intensity and haunting sensuality, depicting men and women, blacks and whites, stripped of their masks of gender and race by love and hatred at the most elemental and sublime.“Brilliantly and fiercely told.” —The New York … fiercely told.” —The New York Times
Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read
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I read this book in college and loved it. I knew (not first-hand) the life styles of the lost generation in Greenwich Village at that time, especially mixed-race couples, striving writers and the struggles of blacks in the 50’s. It didn’t wow me as much this time around but is still a compelling story.
Intelligent handling of difficult themes (racism, violence in relationships, inequality). Incredibly well written prose. An important work. Powerful, raw, essential.
As one of the pre-eminent voices of African-American literature, James Baldwin writes the voices of his upbringing like none other. As one of the greatest writers of the modern era, his breadth encompasses ‘other voices’ of his many journeys through life. In ‘Another Country’ Baldwin lays out a complex lattice of friendship ties in which his disquiet with the state of things is evident from the get-go, with the central character of Rufus, the complex tragic protagonist who’s spirit follows the series of stories, hovering almost like a judgmental ghost right to the end. This book deals with ‘real’ relationships, their flaws, imperfections and secret desires, their loves, guilt, fears, conflicts, prejudices, and anguish … unpacking the streams of envy, inadequacy and jealousy in the most unexpected plot twists. Through the lives of tragic Rufus, his beautiful sister Ida, and the network of close friends (Richard, Cass, Vivaldo, and Eric to name a few, among a broader group of social acquaintances) the tumultuous novel twists and turns, with Baldwin weaving emotional and behavioral contrast, questioning loyalty and depth of feeling, and doing so with a truly open and compassionate lens. Even in the darkest moments of this book, Baldwin seems to remain an optimist, determined to not bow out on the struggle or give up on love, or pleasure for that matter. ‘Another Country’ sets the reader upon the quest to understand a myriad of contextual ‘difference’. And, Baldwin doesn’t hold back. He takes the reader ‘there’, to the uncomfortable jarring places most ‘real life’ relationships or friendships don’t like to admit to even thinking about. He makes his characters face their ‘demons’ with an openness and compassion which exudes the traits of writing genius. The turbulent undercurrents in this stream called life, present in ‘Another Country’, are opened up and laid bare. Yes, Baldwin was a writer of his time, but, I’d argue, his prophetic brilliance on intersectional differences, of race, class, religion, culture, and sexual orientation not to mention the fluidity thereof, shines just as brightly today. Applicable and ‘necessary’, Baldwin’s writing is equally of the ‘now’. Another country is an inspiring testimony to such a truth.
James Baldwin has an ease with words that makes just about everything he writes readable & thoughtful. This novel is no exception. The characters are gay, but the story is universal. Finding that special person is not easy, but keeping that person is the real story and theme of Baldwin novel. The plot weaves itself around many different aspects of life as a person who is gay, but the main theme is about love between two people who come together, not as copies of eac other, but as individuals who must find a way to stay connected in a world that not accept that goal.
My review of this exceptional work of fiction is featured in Reviews by Cat Ellington: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 2, which will be released on 9.4.18.
Takes a look at prejudice in an unassuming manner of writing. Heartbreaking to see/feel the acceptance and sometimes the lashing out of a suppressed people.
Baldwin is a consummate wordsmith. It is a joy to read his writing. However, I got half way through this book and realized I just did not care about his characters and gave up the book…unfinished
A very disturbing but informative novel about race relations in America.The novel is not an easy read but totally worth the time commitment.