Yet another story set in Paris in which the protagonist is an expatriate American. Because this novel is reviewed the month after The Married Man was discussed there is a great temptation to refer to the previous review, perhaps even compare the two works. I will not.
Giovanni’s Room is already well recognized as classic American writing by a renowned and skilled American author. That the subject deals with homosexual characters is secondary to the beautifully lucid prose style.
Published in 1956, Giovanni’s Room no doubt caused quite a stir in the American literary world. Although more liberal than the general population, it must have been moderately scandalized...its sense of liberal acceptance truly tested. From our vantage point of the new millennium the novel’s subject matter is interesting, but not provocative.
The story line is easy to summarize...an American, David, lives in Paris ostensibly to “find himself”...something many young men and women of the day did (or wanted to do). He is gay and finds it easier to be introspective in Paris than in the States. He uses his (trust fund?) money to survive although his dad controls the funds. He also supplements his income by hustling older gay men. (Alas, times have not changed... nor will they ever.) He meets Giovanni while his girlfriend is off in Spain also “finding herself.”
Giovanni and David become lovers, David moves in with Giovanni, and Giovanni becomes instantly emotionally dependent on our hero.
Girlfriend comes home; David chooses the safe course for himself and leaves Giovanni. Giovanni is left to hustle, does it unwillingly, is treated unfairly, overreacts, commits murder and is executed for the crime. David is left to tell girlfriend, thus outing himself, is left alone in Europe and feels guilty for the remainder of his life.
Great story!! Authentic character portrayal, especially of the protagonist, David. Sensibly recounted ambiance! Fluid writing! What more can anyone ask of a novel??
Weaknesses? Not many...from the viewpoint of the mid-50’s none at all. From the vantage point of the present, we lament that some grief counseling and/or self-esteem work was not available to Giovanni. He deserved it. David should probably be left alone to whine or to “find himself.”
Parenthetically I, as a reviewer, was struck by the progress the psychotherapeutic community has made since the 1950s in helping troubled people cope with their feelings.
This book is wonderful! I feel a little silly recommending it since nearly all my circle of acquaintances has already read it...often many years ago. For those few of you who have not... you should. For those of you who read it in the past, (almost) fifty years ago, you might want to read it again. Important novels stand the test of time. Giovanni’s Room is one such work.