It is hard to discuss James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room and not address the basic certainty this thin novel, distributed in 1956, is for the most part a romantic tale between two men. It appears to be difficult to think a wonder such as this could be distributed pre-Stonewall, yet such is the virtuoso of Baldwin and the way he catches the complexities of want, love, and the disastrous cost that originates from not following your heart. "Someone… ought to have disclosed to us that relatively few individuals have ever passed on of affection. However, hoards have died… for its absence." This passionate ponder of a book boils down to two things: love and demise. What's more, truly, what else is there throughout everyday life?

– Kate