James Baldwin's electrifying first novel.'I had to deal with what hurt me most. I had to deal with my father.'Drawing on James Baldwin's own boyhood in a religious community in 1930s Harlem, his first novel tells the story of young Johnny Grimes. Johnny is destined to become a preacher like his father, Gabriel, at the Temple of the Fire Baptized, where the church swells with song and it is as if 'the Holy Ghost were riding on the air'. But he feels only scalding hatred for Gabriel, whose fear and fanaticism lead him to abuse his family. Johnny vows that, for him, things will be different. This blazing tale is full of passion and guilt, of secret sinners and prayers singing on the wind. 'His prose hit me, almost winding me with its intensity. I'd never read a novel that described loneliness and desire with such burning eloquence' Douglas Field, Guardian'A beautiful, enduring, spirtual song of a novel' Andrew O'Hagan
CONTRIBUTORS: James Baldwin, Andrew O'HaganEAN: 9780141185910COUNTRY: United KingdomPAGES: WEIGHT: 200 gHEIGHT: 197 cm
PUBLISHED BY: Penguin Books LtdDATE PUBLISHED: CITY: GENRE: FICTION / Classics, FICTION / Literary, FICTION / Biographical, FICTION / Coming of Age, FICTION / Family Life / GeneralWIDTH: 130 cmSPINE:
Book Themes:
Harlem, c 1930 to c 1939, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction, Family life fiction, Religious and spiritual fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age
It broke my heart and made me want to jump up and down... It captures an essential aspect of life in America, its contradictions and seductions, that bittersweet mix of love and hate that so many feel towards the country, His prose hit me, almost winding me with its intensity. I'd never read a novel that described loneliness and desire with such burning eloquence, Vivid imagery, with lavish attention to details, A beautiful, enduring, spiritual song of a novel, One of the few essential novelists of our time
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.
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James Baldwin's electrifying first novel.'I had to deal with what hurt me most. I had to deal with my father.'Drawing on James Baldwin's own boyhood in a religious community in 1930s Harlem, his first novel tells the story of young Johnny Grimes. Johnny is destined to become a preacher like his father, Gabriel, at the Temple of the Fire Baptized, where the church swells with song and it is as if 'the Holy Ghost were riding on the air'. But he feels only scalding hatred for Gabriel, whose fear and fanaticism lead him to abuse his family. Johnny vows that, for him, things will be different. This blazing tale is full of passion and guilt, of secret sinners and prayers singing on the wind. 'His prose hit me, almost winding me with its intensity. I'd never read a novel that described loneliness and desire with such burning eloquence' Douglas Field, Guardian'A beautiful, enduring, spirtual song of a novel' Andrew O'Hagan
CONTRIBUTORS: James Baldwin, Andrew O'HaganEAN: 9780141185910COUNTRY: United KingdomPAGES: WEIGHT: 200 gHEIGHT: 197 cm
PUBLISHED BY: Penguin Books LtdDATE PUBLISHED: CITY: GENRE: FICTION / Classics, FICTION / Literary, FICTION / Biographical, FICTION / Coming of Age, FICTION / Family Life / GeneralWIDTH: 130 cmSPINE:
Book Themes:
Harlem, c 1930 to c 1939, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction, Family life fiction, Religious and spiritual fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age
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.
I am disappointed in the very slow delivery of 2 physical gift cards (purchased online) from the Exclusive Books site. It took almost 2 weeks to get this tiny package to the recipient - well after his special birthday. I recognise I could have selected a digital voucher (and now wish I had) but I felt - still feel - that receiving an actual 'something' is more fun than opening an email. I hope that Ex Bks can sort out the delivery issue because books still make the best gifts!
I was truly blessed to hear this book read aloud by the author herself. As a teacher, I have to give Refiloe five stars as she held those six year old's in the palm of her hand. If any of you know children, you know they have the concentration of a flea! The children, however, were spellbound, for just under a hour. When I reflected back on how successful the author's visit was I realized, it was the content of the book that captured their hearts. Every child could relate to one or other theme that was addressed in this beautifully illustrated book. If truth be told, it was also magnificently presented. Refiloe is a dynamic orator. Many more schools need to have her books on their library shelves and allow her to grace them with her presence.
Overall, "Atomic Habits" is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the science of habit formation and make lasting changes in their behaviour. Clear's insights and strategies are applicable to individuals in all walks of life, from students and professionals to athletes and entrepreneurs.
I have learned so much about myself with these cards and if you are feeling called to get them in South Africa (or wherever, really), Exclusive Books has you covered. Delivery 5/5, communication 4/5 (3-5 day response times) and package 4/5 (didn't arrive wrapped like I selected - product in new/excellent condition). Overall, an incredibly favourable experience and would recommend! x