It is Paris in the 1950’s. David, an American and the novel’s narrator, meets Giovanni, a bartender from Italy, while David’s girlfriend, Helle, is gallivanting around Spain. David moves in with Giovanni and they have an affair. The reader learns in the first few pages of Giovanni’s Room that eventually Helle leaves David and moves back to America, Giovanni is about to be executed and David feels shame and guilt about all that has occurred. The bulk of the novel describes what led up to that guilt, the execution and the flight to America.

Because of what is happening in this country, I felt it was time for me to read and support a widely banned book. Although it was probably a bit shocking when it was first published in 1956, it is tame by today’s standards. Giovanni’s Room is a good read. Baldwin is a fine writer. He does a great job portraying events and characters without telling everything, thus leaving room for discussion and speculation.