If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
Synopsis Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin’s story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions–affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche.
Synopsis Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin’s story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions–affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche.
Book Review -The story of a young woman, Trish, in her late teens fell in love with a young sculptor, Fonny. Just as love bloomed and new life is created, Fonny was accused of a crime that he allegedly did not commit. The young couple's village sets out to prove his innocence and bring home.
"If you scared just remember that I belong to you...hold on to me."
There were a couple of things that stood out to me. One very prominent thing is that despite the time period that this story was set that the same cultural and societal issues are still front and center and felt. The pains that Trish endured on behalf of Fonny and vice versa was palpable, which leads me to the other thing that kept popping into my thoughts when the duo interacted with each other.
To wake up and realize you are loved so deeply that it has the power to steady your heart and calm your spirit.
"If you scared just remember that I belong to you...hold on to me."
-Fonny
There were a few things that didn't work for me and left a few holes i.e. Fonny's abuse in jail, supporting characters that were impactful but forgotten, etc. I think the messaging that I mentioned above was good but did or will get lost in this heavy read. There was not any one thing that kept me tethered to the story other than I wanted to ensure that I read it after I watched the movie adaption. However, I know many who love this story which is evident by its success. So, please don't take my word for it. If you have not read, please get your copy by clicking the image below.
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