Giovanni's Room (Deluxe Edition): A Novel (Vintage International)

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin is a groundbreaking novel set in 1950s Paris, where a young American expatriate named David grapples with his repressed desires and conventional morality. As David becomes involved in a doomed affair with a bartender named Giovanni, Baldwin's narrative delves into the complexities of love and identity, offering a deeply moving exploration of the human heart.

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Published Jun 18, 2024

192 pages

Average rating: 7.84

692 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Sue Dix
Mar 14, 2026
8/10 stars
I’ve only ever read non-fiction by James Baldwin, so I was pleasantly surprised by this tragic tale. His prose is spare but descriptive and the story is familiar without being trite.
Mjk
Jul 18, 2025
8/10 stars
The prose and the rhythms of this book captured me and made this story compelling and one I wanted to finish despite the fact that the main character is not one I was routing for. It’s a story of one person looking for something that he will never find in a time and place where others have come to find love and happiness. It’s a tragic tale that unfolds with hints and ends with powerful revelations.
huggyjc
Apr 14, 2025
7/10 stars
This was an emotional read. It touched on themes of love, betrayal, anger, and sorrow. I thought it was nice overall.
MarkCH
Nov 17, 2022
10/10 stars
I have read this book several times, and each time I see it new. A tragic story of shame and trying to love when the world forbids that love.
Jaylin McClaire
Feb 28, 2026
A tale of repression and shame told by one of the most influential and talented authors of all time in James Baldwin.

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