Product Description

Published in 1962, this is an emotionally intense novel of love, hatred, race and liberal America in the 1960s. Set in Greenwhich Village, Harlem and France, ANOTHER COUNTRY tells the story of the suicide of jazz-musician Rufus Scott and the friends who search for an understanding of his life and death, discovering uncomfortable truths about themselves along the way.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #165810 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
Born in Harlem in 1924, Baldwin had an early career as a teenage preacher. He lived in Paris from 1948-1956 and his first novels, the autobiographical GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN and GIOVANNI'S ROOM established him as a promising novelist and anticipated some of the themes of his later works, such as racism and sexuality. He became a prominent spokesperson for racial equality, especially during the civil rights movement. He lived in France during his last years. Baldwin died in 1987.

Customer Reviews

Compelling look at racism &the struggle for self knowledge
An epic of a novel, Another Country really is two novels in one: the first is the story of Rufus Scott, a black man living in the segregated world of NYC in the 50's, struggling to find a way out of the mire of alienation and self-hatred, while the second is a portrait of the people who are left behind after Rufus exits the stage. The first part is gripping and beautifully realized, while the second is a much more pedestrian look at a collection of confused, tormented folks scanning the streets of Manhattan as well as each other's beds in search of meaning. Baldwin is an amazingly original and insightful writer, yet the novel feels anticlimactic after the first section narrated by Rufus, and the conclusion seems too pat. Still, for its discussion of issues of race, class, homosexuality, adultery, and the struggle for self-knowledge, Another Country, published in 1962, was far ahead of its time.

A very realistic portrayal of relationships and love
The interaction between the characters in Another Country was a very real and in-your-face representaion of love: love for your friends, and supposed friends; and the love that people search to give and receive. The conversations between all of the characters mirrored feelings and obstacles that I have come across in relationships, most accurately, the thin line between love, hate, and guilt. JB knew that it didn't matter who the love came from, but that the fact that you were loved and loved somebody was important. Another Country, however is not for everybody, especially those who are threatened by homosexuality. However, if you have an open mind and have any experience with love, you will be ble to relate to this book.

Time for a New York Revival!
This is C20th American Literature at its best. OK, I know it was written in the "jazzy" 60s and the dialogue is dated but the issues are alive and the writing is great. Baldwin deserves a revival. Discover him by reading this novel. The end of Chapter 1 will break your heart and that's just the start! I defy you to read this and not be moved,elated,rejuvenated,disturbed and transported to a New York of times gone yet still there, maybe unfortunately-you decide. A human drama an a massive scale.