If Beale Street Could Talk
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group · Paperback · October 10, 2006
James Baldwin's timeless, bestselling novel of love and solidarity in the face of injustice—the beloved classic that inspired the major motion picture directed by Barry Jenkins “One of the best books James Baldwin has ever written—perhaps the best of all.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer Tish is nineteen years old and in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- A book-club-friendly read with enough depth to keep the conversation awake.
- Genres
- Black Romance, Black Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Published
- Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, October 10, 2006
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
The Fire Next TimeJames Baldwin65% match
Go Tell It on the MountainJames Baldwin65% matchShares Black Historical Fiction and Literary Fiction
The Prince of TidesPat Conroy47% matchShares Literary Fiction
One Day When I Was LostJames Baldwin60% match
For younger readers: Dear Martin, If You Come Softly, I'll Give You the Sun
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
James Baldwin's timeless, bestselling novel of love and solidarity in the face of injustice—the beloved classic that inspired the major motion picture directed by Barry Jenkins “One of the best books James Baldwin has ever written—perhaps the best of all.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer Tish is nineteen years old and in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child.
Continue reading
Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but when Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime, their families set out to clear his name and reunite the young lovers. As they face an uncertain future, Tish and Fonny experience a kaleidoscope of emotions—affection, despair, and, not least of all, hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, James Baldwin gives us two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche.
Why It Clicks
A book-club-friendly read with enough depth to keep the conversation awake.
Come here for
- layered reading, easy to talk about
- a sustained Baldwin voice
Expect
- immersion over speed
- plenty to chew on
Where it sits
| Literary Fiction | 50% |
|---|---|
| Black Historical Fiction | 49% |
| Black Romance | 36% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Literary Fiction
- Family Life
- Black Women's Fiction
- Authors
- James Baldwin
- Publisher
- Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
- Published
- October 10, 2006
- Format
- Paperback
- Reading lane
- Literary Fiction