I am already grateful that I embarked on trying to read as many of the books as I can on the “1001 book you must read” list. The very first I read, James Baldwin‘s “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was a rich, rewarding experience. Religion, race, relations: these topics of the book gave plenty for me to wonder about.
I have been immersed in my Judaism related readings in the last few years that barely had a chance to read from other traditions. Baldwin’s description of being saved by Jesus, of being born again, of living through extensive trance, of having visions as full body experiences helped me to understand what adult Christian conversion might mean. Without having the intention or call to follow that path this is as close as I can get to live it through myself. The 30 page description of the main character’s, the 14 year old John’s, first transcendental experience is a masterpiece in itself.
I will never be able to know from the inside what it means to be black, or what it meant to be black in the first half of the last century. But Baldwin’s approach created an environment, where I could place myself in their shoes. I have a deeper appreciation of the hardships millions went through and a stronger anger about racism; be it personal or institutional, millions had to face. Through showing not just John’s life in Harlem, but the origins of his extensive family’s (growing up in rural areas decades earlier) I gained a more comprehensive picture of the African-American experience. Yes, I learned about Harlem renaissance, Jim Crow laws, slavery, desegregation efforts, but up till now these belonged to the history section of my limited mind, that likes to label and categorize knowledge. Baldwin’s characters made them personal; these are no longer abstract truths for me, but more about people I could care for.
This leads me to the third area: relations. Partnerships, filial duties, marriages, preacher-flock these are just some of the relationships Baldwin shows us masterfully. I appreciated the tight style of the writing. There is not a single superfluous adjective. Descriptions of scenery, every day objects, and places is kept to a minimal. These seem unnecessary when you are telling the story of inner actions. The chronicle is exclusively about the people, their motivations, and in John’s case, internal monologues.
Thank you Baldwin for reminding me what good books are about: exposing yourself to new experiences, worlds, lives that you personally will never be able to live.
