James Baldwin’s “Another Country” is a brilliant, unflinching, remarkable novel. It is often said “That one should not judge others, until you have walked in their shoes.” Never has such a statement been so vividly brought to life than in this book. Mr. Baldwin makes the reader feel exactly what it is like to be an outsider… A black person, a homosexual, a female… In a white man’s world.
I have often compared Mr. Baldwin’s books to Martin Scorsese’ movies. They both reveal a realism that is frightening and can only be achieved by artists extremely familiar with the material. The characters are complex, sexually, morally, racially, and yet they are as real as any characters you could ever hope to encounter. The writing is sublime and the structure and narrative are the work of a true craftsman and master.
I cannot recommend this book enough. This is great literature and it is as relevant today as it was when published in 1961.
Joseph Sciuto was born and raised in New York City, where he spent his early years listening to his Italian-American grandmother’s vivid stories about how their family was responsible for building much of the impressive Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building. The rich flavor of her stories about their family’s heritage still works its way through his writing.
Sciuto holds degrees from both John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Stony Brook University and a certificate in film studies from New York University. After studying psychology, film, theater, literature, and English as an undergraduate, he relocated to Southern California to attend graduate school at Loyola Marymount University, where he studied writing and film.
Sciuto's next novel, SOFIA, is available on June 27, 2019, following the success of HOLLYWOOD RIPTIDE, TARGETED DEMOGRAPHICS and PER VERSE VENGEANCE.
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A Curious View 