Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

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Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

                This is the first fiction book that I’ve read by James Baldwin and it was extremely enjoyable. It’s the story of John, a teenage, Black boy living with his family. His father, Gabrielle, is a preacher. His younger brother Roy is known for running around causing trouble. His mother, Elizabeth, stays at home raising his little sister and youngest brother. John tries to be a good child, listening to his mother and helping around the house. But none of his efforts ever satisfy his father, who blames John and his mother for the recklessness he sees in Roy. It’s against this backdrop that we learn about John’s family. We learn of the sins that have gotten their family to where they are now. The sordid history that forced his Aunt Florence to leave the South to find her own way up North, the years that would follow before Gabrielle followed, and how Elizabeth and he came to marry.
                I hate it when I’ve read a story, truly adored it and can’t come up with a satisfying blurb. There is so much that happened in this story that I had a really hard time creating a blurb that wouldn’t provide spoilers. This story weaves between the past and present. As we learn a bit about what happened in the past, we are also being exposed to the events of the present, which make old resentments and fears that much more powerful. I love how Baldwin chose to reveal elements of this story. It added so much depth to every part. Little nuances in the character became more obvious as the layers were peeled away and the true nature of characters revealed.
                Very early on I realized that I would both really enjoy this novel and become really emotionally involved. The tone of this novel is one of heartbreak. There wasn’t that much joy to be had and the victories were overcome with pain. To see so much through the eyes of someone so young who was simply trying to do his best, says so much about the human experience. So much of this novel was steeped in racism and bigotry. It’s something that Baldwin doesn’t shy away from and its prevalence in the story is so disheartening because it is steeped in truth.
                Highly recommend this novel. I’ll be reading more of his work. Baldwin’s writing style is just beautiful. Mind you I’ve read a nonfiction book by him before and I enjoyed this book more. His ability to capture the lives and personalities of these different characters was expertly done. I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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