I never wanted to throw a book across the room before after finishing it, but Mr.Baldwin sure came close to making me do it with this one after that ending!

I've read a variety of different works by James Baldwin and hi talented writing and insight on society, race, and gender always fascinates me. I had wanted to read this story before seeing the movie, but for some reason I held off reading it until now. I went in not knowing anything about the story, assuming it is just a love story, but this is much more than that.

This story about Fonny and Tish and all others surrounding them having to deal with the justice system, rocky family relationships, poverty and struggle definitely speaks on the times of when social and racial issues were at it's highest peak, and most dangerous, but can also sadly still reflect on issues that are going on today in 2019.

I highlighted moments where Baldwin writing of ordinary things, like laughing with someone, is presented in such a magical and special way. I flew by the story, especially when plot points begin to connect.

Some frustrating things for me while reading were that I sometimes got lost in who's perspective we were reading from, even though we are mostly following Tish, the narration switches to Fonny, the parents and even others but through Tish's voices. And since there weren't any real chapter breaks I sometimes found myself going back in sentences to see what perspective I was reading from.
Another highly frustrating part was the ending. Mainly because I needed a bit more resolution but I suppose that was the intention.
I kept in mind throughout reading, the time this story was made, and how it can reflect conversation and experiences from the characters and Baldwin writing. But overall I highly enjoyed this journey of reading another Baldwin piece.