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7th out of 22 books
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20 voters
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Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone
At the height of his theatrical career, the actor Leo Proudhammer is nearly felled by a heart attack. As he hovers between life and death, Baldwin shows the choices that have made him enviably famous and terrifyingly vulnerable.
For between Leo's childhood on the streets of Harlem and his arrival into the intoxicating world of the theater lies a wilderness of desire an...more
For between Leo's childhood on the streets of Harlem and his arrival into the intoxicating world of the theater lies a wilderness of desire an...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published
February 17th 1998
by Vintage
(first published 1968)
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Baldwin, for me, is one of those writers who defines what their art is about. He is able to address a range of themes and emotions in a clear, unfussy style that makes his stories both a joy to behold and an experience to share. His characters live and breathe in ways to which we can all relate, and exist in worlds we recognise. It is this authenticity of description and experience that allows you to become so involved and invested in the stories and the journeys of his characters. That there is...more
I came across this book in a second hand bookstore and bought it 'cause my father said it was a good read. This is actually the first work of Baldwin I've read, so I didn't have any expectations, but it left me with mixed feelings. There are some nice dialogs in this book, where you hear the voices of the characters in your head (no I'm not schizophrenic), which I enjoyed. This really brings it to life for me. The theme of the book however, institutionalised racism and racial identity didn't rea...more
Once again James Baldwin has blown my mind. Some authors are very tedious when addressing the race issue in our country, but Baldwin explores it from a different angle in each of his books. This book dives into the religious aspects that are apparent in Go Tell It On The Mountain and the interracial relationships that are clear in Another Country and the homosexual relationships that are present in Giovanni's Room. He is able to blend everything together in this book to depict the life of Leo...more
The back of this book makes it out to be the life story of a black actor who rises to greatness, but is "torn between two different kinds of love". I don't think Baldwin makes as big a deal as all that about the fact that the character, Leo, has one lover who is a woman his age and one who is a man much younger than he is. The woman, Barbara, is white and that is a big deal. But that doesn't affect their feelings about each other nearly as much as it affects their ability to be toge...more
Not as awesome as your average Baldwin fare, but when your average hovers within the "astoundingly prophetic work of piercing literary genius" range, I guess you can afford to strike below the mark every now and again. Baldwin is my all-time no-contest forever-favorite American novelist, so I'm compelled to read everything he wrote (and probably biased in my assessments), and even though "Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone" doesn't approach the structural perfection of "...more
Jasika
is currently reading it
I bet it doesn't count as "currently reading" if it's been weeks since I picked it up and I don't really remember the 40 pages I read already. This is my first Baldwin book. It's a writing style I am unfamiliar with so maybe that's why it's taking me a while to get into it.
Baldwin creates "leo" as a deeply multi layered character with, super facial intentions. The book, part history lesson with a touch of grunge. Somewhat provokative, but mostly an inner contemplation of family-issues expressed and effected throughout the characters life.
4 stars because of his incredible writing, 1 star removed because of the way it sputters towards an ending. A missed opportunity to be a perfect novel in my mind, but I plan on reading it again in a few years and revisiting my thoughts. Excellent read.
When life starts to make you feel a touch less human, it's time to reach for some Baldwin. The beginning trope seemed too cliched, but the depth and beauty of Baldwin's characters win out.
Fantastic! Baldwin reaches into the inner psyche and mixes it with social consciousness and philosophy
I enjoyed this story but the ending was too abrupt but ending a book is the hardest part of writing
Barbara Duvoisin
marked it as to-read
rec'd by HuffPo Nov 10 - should read. i like james baldwin.
i'm the only one alive who thinks this book was this good.
I loved this book and was sad to see it end. Baldwin's writing style is so honest and straightforward - and brave, especially for its time (published in 1960s). He delves into so many sensitive and sometimes painful subjects: being black in 1950s and '60s America, bisexuality, interracial relationships, the struggles of an artist, living in a home with an alcoholic father and a troubled brother. I've read that many of the stories and characters in his novels are based on his own life. I'm lo...more
I picked up this book after a long period of reading either non-fiction or science fiction and fantasy. Its safe to say that i have fallen deeply in love with James Baldwin and I have been brought back safely to novel-land. In this lesser known work, Baldwin demonstrates his skillful use language, and his deep understanding of the human condition in the racist, sexist, heteronormative, capitalist United States. This book will truly move your heart and mind, and push you grapple with your own con...more
Leo Proudhammer and Barbara King are the most realistic characters I've read in a long while. But after waiting hundreds of pages for him to make an appearance, I absolutely adore Black Christopher.
Amazing book.
Amazing book.
This one took me awhile to finish. Yet, every time I picked it back up, I was drawn into the life of Leo Proudhammer, whose position on the outskirts of society (in terms of race, sexuality, class and career) affords him unique insight into (and disgust with) American society. I love the way Baldwin writes. Though this was not my favorite Baldwin book, I appreciate the way the characters' progressive approaches to life and art allow them to critique the rigidity and intolerance of America.
Brett
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone in the theater; anyone who loves; anyone who thinks there are no longer issuse with race
Baldwin just slays me. I've never been so wrapped up in the human experience more than when I read his books. I'm likely to just give them all 4 or 5 stars each time. But this one in particular is a whopper. The depth of the characters, and their 30-year evolving histories, makes the book so rich. I lived someplace else during the reading of this book, somewhere outside of my heart and head, somewhere between me and the page. Amazing.
I am very very impressed. It almost seems the writer is getting it out of the system. With some occasional uncool statements like " I am short, she is even shorter than me, but I am very strong", it also has some really good ones,
this one I will remember for a long time: "God will join us later, once he was sure, that we were on the winning side".
It is amazing how well thought it was from a drama artist perspective though.
this one I will remember for a long time: "God will join us later, once he was sure, that we were on the winning side".
It is amazing how well thought it was from a drama artist perspective though.
i dont know why it was so damn hard to find this book. It was a really good telling story of a black man becoming an actor in a time when black people were only given roles as servers and the like. nevermind that the main character is bisexual and in a relationship with a white woman. a very good collusion of gay/color/interracial politics told in a very real way. thanks again james baldwin.
The writing in this book was lyrical and powerful and beautiful as Baldwin generally is. I would give the writing 10 stars if possible. The story was engaging and interesting but at times would really drag. I give the story about 3 stars. So combine that and somehow in my unmathematical mind I come up with 4 stars.
By far the longest Baldwin book I've read so far, and it felt the most long-winded and rambling. Aside from this criticism, Baldwin remains one of my favorite writers for his unique ability to discuss race, religion, and sexuality in a very relatable way that doesn't come across too preachy.
This book made me weep. James Baldwin takes on the task of writing from the perspective of a successful American gay theater actor in the mid 20th century who has a had a close call with death, looking back on his life and important relationships with brutal clarity.
Rita
is currently reading it
Almost finished this book. I am fascinated by the transitions between time and how smoothly Baldwin covers that. There are long winding paragraphs of thought that if published today may not get by an editor; I sure am glad he published this when he did.
Mary Flamingo
rated it
Recommends it for:
people interested in different perspectives on race and sexuality.
This book is totally beautiful. The language is exquisite and challenging. His ideas are new and enlightning. It was so great to read and I was like, "Nooooo!!!" when I finished reading it. It was my first book my him, and I can't wait to read some more.
this book is so amazing, james baldwin has a way of describing things i could never even imagine being able to describe, in ways that make yr heart and brain explode! now i must read all his other books, as soon as possible.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was not in school and I could have read it in a more continuous manner. It was well-written and engaging, and I would read more books by James Baldwin given the opportunity.
There's no particular reason, but this is my favorite Baldwin novel. I don't think it's his best, or most celebrated, but if I ever had to write a book it would be this one. Not that that makes sense or anything.
Baldwin is a favorite of mine. This book isn´t his best, mostly because it lacks a satisfying plot arc, but it is beautiful, truthful, and has searing characterizations of people and our country.
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James Baldwin offered a vital literary voice during the era of civil rights activism in the 1950s and '60s. The eldest of nine children, his stepfather was a minister. At age 14, Baldwin became a preacher at the small Fireside Pentecostal Church in Harlem. In the...more
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James Baldwin offered a vital literary voice during the era of civil rights activism in the 1950s and '60s. The eldest of nine children, his stepfather was a minister. At age 14, Baldwin became a preacher at the small Fireside Pentecostal Church in Harlem. In the...more
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“Everyone wishes to be loved, but in the event, nearly no one can bear it. Everyone desires love but also finds it impossible to believe that he deserves it.”
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3 people liked it
“I went down again. My heart and I went down again. I was aware of her hand. I was aware of my breathing. I could no longer see it, but I was aware of her face.”
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1 person liked it
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