Introduction. In Another Country, James Baldwin’s third novel in a long list of influential and poignant American books, this literary fiction traverses topics that were primarily considered taboo at the time of its publication in 1962. In this piece, Baldwin first directs the reader through a third-person perspective, following the turbulent and troublesome life of protagonist Rufus Scott. The focus of the plot then shifts to Rufus’ social circle, primarily comprised of the protagonist’s close friends and relatives. In Another Country, Baldwin masterfully covers topics including sexuality, identity, and love.
Analysis. Initially, Another Country focuses on the troubled and extreme life of Rufus Scott. However, the plot changes suddenly when Rufus tragically ends his own life by jumping from the George Washington Bridge. Following his suicide, the plot essentially broadens to cover the profound affect his decision has on his social circle – in some cases bringing friends and family together as unlikely lovers and, in other cases, creating insurmountable disdain between them. While primarily set in Harlem, a brief interlude in France introduces Rufus’ actor friend Eric and his partner Yves.
Discussion. No author covers the human condition, especially with relation to tensions surrounding race, sexuality, and identity in America, better or more vividly than James Baldwin did. Another Country is but another in his long list of excellent works. Baldwin writes in an extremely dark and descriptive manner, reminiscent of the writings of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky – who, Baldwin acknowledges in another book, inspired his writing style. On the surface, Baldwin’s writing seems gnarled with bitterness and laced with venom. He describes menacing buildings leaning in to collapse down onto the heads of his characters, twisted and sinister streetlamps beaming mercilessly revealing light, etc. – all giving readers a vivid portrayal of a cold, cruel world. However, there remains an underpinning theme of beauty in the collective strength and resolve his characters demonstrate by banding together to stand up to reality’s countless brutalities. It is through these characters’ shared misery that they grow closer together and learn to subsist on love in this desert of life.
Conclusion. As is the case in most of Baldwin’s books, Another Country appears to either be a thinly veiled memoir or certainly draws from Baldwin’s personal life experiences. In either case, Baldwin masterfully covers the topics of sexuality, identity, and love in America in the 1960s. All in all, I recommend this book to readers interested in a darker style of writing.
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