If Beale Street Could Talk

I just want to start by saying that I appreciate this book's critique of the criminal justice system and police bias. That was not my issue with it at all. In fact, it's pretty much the only thing I did like.

Baldwin has some great turns of phrase here and there, but overall, I do not understand the popularity of this book. The characters are shallow, some to the point of being caricatures, and most of the few existing plot points are completely unbelievable. The book drags despite its short length. I usually enjoy books that are more character study than plot, but that only works if you actually flesh out your characters. I felt like I barely knew Tish by the end, even though the entire book is told from her perspective. The only character who actually feels like she has some substance is Sharon.

Some specific issues:

- Why, exactly, are we supposed to love the guy who abuses his wife?

- What the actual heck is this quote?

I think, in fact, that she was raped and that she has absolutely no idea who did it, would probably not even recognize him if he passed her on the street. I may sound crazy, but the mind works that way. She'd recognize him if he raped her again. But then it would no longer be rape. If you see what I mean.

- Pretty sure Baldwin never talked to anyone who has actually been pregnant in the course of writing this.

- The unnecessary sexual scenes (Specifically, the gratuitous masturbation scene and the disturbing sexual encounter told through the eyes of the couple's child. Just...why?)

- The depiction of Puerto Rico (or, as Baldwin likes to refer to it, the home of trash, garbage, refuse, and more garbage, where everyone looks like they're related but somehow not in a racist way)

- The super misogynistic opinions, gay slurs, and antisemitism. Obviously you can't hold an older book to the standard of the current day, but when I was already struggling to continue reading, these definitely didn't help.

- The abrupt ending

Some things I did like: the Spanish restaurant, getting to see more of Sharon's character during her portion of the story, the fact everyone believes Victoria is telling the truth about what had happened to her even if she is mistaken about Fonny's identity

All in all, I love Baldwin's essays, but this definitely should not have been my introduction to his fiction. Not every book can be an author's best, so I hope that the next one I try lives up to the hype.