Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1678106 in Books
• Published on: 1995-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Synopsis
While his family struggles with guilt, bitterness, and spiritual issues, John Grimes experiences a religious conversion in the Temple of the Fire Baptised.

Customer Reviews

Modern classic
James Baldwins first novel, in which he deals with issues he had with his father, religion and his sexuality, though it is definitely not a autobiographical account of his life.

It concerns a young black boyin harlem called Johnny Grimes, destined to become a preahcer like his father, but he has doubts, and struggles with a hatred for his father, and an attraction towards an older boy in the congregation. However, the narrative jumps from him through the novel, and we learn about the past of his father, his mother and his auntie.

This is a wondefully emotive and affecting book, with an underlying sense of sadness running throughout, written in a beautifully lyrical style.

A walk on the dark side
It's obviously a classic, but the book sometimes gets a bit teadious. The book gives a good view on subjects like racism, religion and the black community in America. If you're interested in that kind of subjects and if you're determined enough to get through the book; this is the book for you. Rolf Donders Twikkelstraat 37 4834 LL Breda- The Netherlands

Baldwin's first and best novel
Much of this novel is based on real life experiences of Baldwin and his family. The story focuses on the conflict between a young boy, John Grimes, and his father who is a preacher. The book is divided into three sections, the middle one being the most interesting. This section is told in a series of flashbacks telling the life stories of John's father, mother, and aunt. Unlike Baldwin's other novels, this work is not filled with a lot of political rhetoric. The story is simple and very enjoyable. Additionally, this novel describes African American church life reallly well.