Name: Book to be discussed: "Giovanni’s Room" by James Baldwin
Start: 2025-01-09T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-09T21:00:00-05:00

**Book:** *Giovanni’s Room* by James Baldwin is a haunting and beautifully written novel that delves into themes of love, identity, and self-acceptance. Set in 1950s Paris, it tells the story of David, an American grappling with his sexuality, and his passionate, tumultuous relationship with an Italian bartender named Giovanni. Baldwin’s powerful prose captures the complexities of desire, shame, and societal expectations, making this novel a poignant exploration of human intimacy and the cost of denying one’s true self. A timeless classic, *Giovanni’s Room* invites readers to reflect on the struggle for personal freedom and the courage it takes to embrace who we are.

**Author:** James Baldwin (1924–1987) was an influential American writer, essayist, and social critic known for his powerful explorations of race, sexuality, and identity. Born in Harlem, New York, Baldwin faced poverty and societal discrimination, experiences that profoundly shaped his writing. He gained acclaim for works like *Go Tell It on the Mountain*, a semi-autobiographical novel, and *Notes of a Native Son*, a groundbreaking collection of essays on racial and social issues in America. As a gay Black man, Baldwin also delved into themes of sexuality and personal freedom in works like *Giovanni’s Room*, which challenged social norms and became a classic of LGBTQ+ literature. Spending much of his life in France, Baldwin became a leading voice in the civil rights movement, using his eloquent, unapologetic prose to confront injustice and inspire change, leaving a lasting impact on American literature and social thought.

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Book to be discussed: "Giovanni’s Room" by James Baldwin

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Book to be discussed: "Giovanni’s Room" by James Baldwin

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