Tell me how long

I picked this up three times, and put it down twice, I didn't mind reading, and I didn't mind letting it sit. And when I picked it up again, I got right back into the flow, the poverty, and off-relationships, all of them.

Leo Proudhammer is, of course, another Baldwin alter ego. He has a tough background, an ingrained sense of racism, he's bisexual with unusual choices of attachment, and, perhaps, very lonely, partially in a self-inflicted kind of way. It's there from opening, from the way Barbara and the rest of the cast respond to his heart attack.

But it seems to hit hard at the end. When I finished, the book left me with a weight I wasn't fully aware was accumulating. It hung around, all of it. Oct 23, Edita rated it it was amazing Shelves: james-baldwin. There is nothing more to be said. All we can do now is just hold on. That was why she held my hand.

I recognized this as love—recognized it very quietly and, for the first time, without fear. My life, that desperately treacherous labyrinth, seemed for a moment to be opening out behind me; a light seemed to fall where there had been no light before. I began to see myself in others. I began for a moment to apprehend how Christopher must sometimes have felt.

Everyone wishes to be loved, but, in the event, nearly no one can bear it. Everyone desires love but also finds it impossible to believe that he deserves it. However great the private disasters to which love may lead, love itself is strikingly and mysteriously impersonal; it is a reality which is not altered by anything one does.

Therefore, one does many things, turns the key in the lock over and over again, hoping to be locked out. Once locked out, one will never again be forced to encounter in the eyes of a stranger who loves him the impenetrable truth concerning the stranger, oneself, who is loved. And yet—one would prefer, after all, not to be locked out.

One would prefer, merely, that the key unlocked a less stunningly unusual door. None of it had seemed beautiful then, myself least of all. I did not want others to endure my estrangement, that was why I was on the platform; yet was it not, at the least, paradoxical that it was only my estrangement which had placed me there?

And I could not flatten out this paradox, I could not hammer it into any usable shape. Everyone else desired to be at home in the world, and so did I—or so had I; and they were right in this desire, and so had I been; it was our privilege, to say nothing of our hope, to attempt to make the world a human dwellingplace for us all; and yet—yet—was it not possible that the mighty gentlemen, my honorable and invaluable confreres, by being unable to imagine such a journey as my own, were leaving something of the utmost importance out of their aspirations?

I could not know. Barbara was young and talented and pretty, and single-minded. There was nothing to prevent her from scaling the heights. Her eminence was but a matter of time. And what could she then do with her sad, dark lover, a boy trapped in the wrong time, the wrong place, and with the wrong ambitions trapped in the wrong skin?

Because I was certain that Barbara could not stay with me, I dared not be committed to Barbara. This fear obscured a great many fears, but it obscured, above all, the question of whether or not I wished to be committed to Barbara, or to anyone else, and it hid the question of whether or not I was capable of commitment.

No one could help me and I could not call for help. There was no way for me to know if the fear I sometimes felt when with Barbara, a fear which sometimes woke me in the middle of the night, which sometimes made me catch my breath when walking the streets at noon, was a personal fear, produced merely by the convolutions of my own personality, or a public fear, produced by the rage of others.

I could not read my symptoms, for I loved her, I knew that, and loved her more than I loved anyone else. We were not always happy, but when I was happy with Barbara I was happier than I had ever been with anyone else.

We were at ease with each other, as we were with no one else. And yet, I saw no future for us. Was it destined to be lost, or could we have saved it? Leo is a famous, black, bisexual stage actor who has just had a serious heart attack. As he is in the hospital he thinks back on episodes of his life, in non-chronological order. This structure made the writing a little choppy.

I've been reading a lot of James Baldwin this year and this is the first book that I've felt was too long by about pages. I preferred the parts of the book that dealt with the theater, but the parts about Leo's childhood in Harlem felt like I'd read them before in o Leo is a famous, black, bisexual stage actor who has just had a serious heart attack.

I preferred the parts of the book that dealt with the theater, but the parts about Leo's childhood in Harlem felt like I'd read them before in other Baldwin books and a lot of the book was pretty boring. I thought that his love affairs were particularly uninteresting. I wouldn't recommend starting with this book if you are new to Baldwin's work. The narration by Kevin Kenerly of the audiobook was excellent. View 1 comment. Feb 09, Juliette Barasch rated it liked it Shelves: planned-for , read-in Three and a half stars?

A deeply frustrating read at times, due to some serious navel-gazing, which makes sense for a protagonist of this sort, but is ultimately mostly unrewarding for the reader. I feel Leo's written pretty inconsistently, especially with regard to his inner dialogue with his awareness as a politicized subject. It's a bloated, floaty, drifting novel that jumps timelines and burns slowly, but Baldwin dazzled me with his ability to make me want to spend a lot of time with this ca Three and a half stars?

It's a bloated, floaty, drifting novel that jumps timelines and burns slowly, but Baldwin dazzled me with his ability to make me want to spend a lot of time with this cast, despite not viewing them highly as human beings. I was disappointed in the lack of serious emotional and sexual exploration and depth in each of Leo's relationships including his incestuous one , as they're marketed as focal points in his life.

Unfortunately, I found them to be quite cold and even partially filled with inequality and resentment. The devastatingly beautiful reflections in prose, deep understanding of humanity, and unapologetic political blackness are all pretty typical for Baldwin, but they especially grabbed me here, and are ultimately what kept this novel afloat for me.

Oct 25, Ronald Morton rated it it was amazing Shelves: read-in , favorites. There was something very wonderful which Salvatore brought to the fore in Jerry. Jerry showed a side of himself to Salvatore which he showed to no one else. I think if l had never seen Jerry with Salvatore, I would never have known what pain and love were in the boy, could not have guessed how much he had lost already, and why it was possible for Barbara really to care about him.

Salvatore treated Jerry like a son; and this brought forward the man in Jerry. It brought forward in him elements of delicacy and courtesy which Jerry, in most of his daily life disguised by rough speech and rough play. The lost and loving boy Jerry was attempting—helplessly—to divorce and deny was the only creature Salvatore saw, and it did not even occur to him to doubt the value of this creature.

For the old, sturdy man recognized Jerry, he had seen him before. He found the key to Jerry in the life he himself had lived. And I did not know why. Sometimes, alone, I fled to the Negro part of town. Sometimes I got drunk there, and a couple of times I got laid there. But my connections all were broken. The writing in this book is exceptional. The novel is mostly told in retrospect — with the present-day action only taking up days — but nothing about it is especially experimental.

It is simply — I use the word facetiously — a stunning work of well crafted literature. There are large sections of the book that were so anguished, so crushing, that my chest hurt while reading them. But it is relenting in this overwhelmingness, and there are passages of grace and beauty that keep the balance in check.

Dec 18, Read By RodKelly rated it it was amazing. Jimmy leaves my jaw on the floor Everytime! There is no greater writer. Oct 30, Geoff from rated it really liked it Shelves: fully-reviewed. Baldwin, for me, is one of those writers who defines what their art is about. He is able to address a range of themes and emotions in a clear, unfussy style that makes his stories both a joy to behold and an experience to share.

His characters live and breathe in ways to which we can all relate, and exist in worlds we recognise. It is this authenticity of description and experience that allows you to become so involved and invested in the stories and the journeys of his characters. That there is Baldwin, for me, is one of those writers who defines what their art is about. That there is such a personal experience gained from - and a personal investment made in - stories created in another time and place is testament to Baldwin's skill.

Throughout the book, humanity sings out from every page, paragraph and word. Any anger that is in the book - and there is a lot - comes from a place of love and faith in humanity and not from hate or despair. Characters are scarred and affected by their environments, sure, but they are also able, to various degrees, to attempt to take control and influence their own outcomes. This positive approach allows us to share in the anger that an unjust world provokes, but also infuses the reader with a positivity that we, you and I can change, and allow ourselves to be changed, if we really care enough about the world we live in and our role within it.

Above all, you will be entertained and enjoy this book. On top of everything else, isn't that reason enough to give this book a try? View all 4 comments.

Feb 16, Darryl Suite rated it it was amazing. I need more time to process. The tone is more obvious in its angrer and cynicism than all of his other novels note: I haven't read Just Above My Head and feels more in conversation with his scathing, no holds barred nonfiction.

It's also very theatrical in style. This book is not for the impatient reader. If you haven't read Baldwin before, don't start with this one. This may not be my favorite Baldwin book, but it's great nonetheless. So much to process. Jan 05, Liz rated it it was amazing Shelves: fiction , queer , us-politics , race-in-the-us , class-struggle. I picked up this book after a long period of reading either non-fiction or science fiction and fantasy.

Its safe to say that i have fallen deeply in love with James Baldwin and I have been brought back safely to novel-land.

In this lesser known work, Baldwin demonstrates his skillful use language, and his deep understanding of the human condition in the racist, sexist, heteronormative, capitalist United States. This book will truly move your heart and mind, and push you grapple with your own con I picked up this book after a long period of reading either non-fiction or science fiction and fantasy.

This book will truly move your heart and mind, and push you grapple with your own contradictions Jul 26, David rated it it was amazing. This almostpage novel is a surprisingly quick read.

Upon starting it, I soon found myself pulled in. I basically only put it down occasionally to catch my breath. It was almost as though Baldwin had, early on, said "I've got something you need to hear. The event will be what causes the actor to reflect on his life as he begins his road to recovery.

Beginning as it did in Depression-er This almostpage novel is a surprisingly quick read. Beginning as it did in Depression-era Harlem, it was a life defined and governed by racism - a reality which, of course, follows Proudhammer into adulthood.

As a kid, Leo is witness to many home conversations about whites, i. He mimicked her. Just as good as who -- them people who beat my ass and called me nigger and made me eat shit and wallow in the dirt like a dog? Just as good as them? Is that what you want for me? I'd like to see every single one of them in their graves--in their graves, Mama, that's right.

And I wouldn't be a white man for all the coals in hell. Leo is also aware when it's camouflaged: Americans are always lying to themselves about that kinsman they call the Negro, and they are always lying to him, and I had grown accustomed to the tone which sought your complicity in the unadmitted crime. The reader will note how much of this novel reflects the unenlightened avenues of the period the '30s-'60s - while being simultaneously aware of the degree to which racism is shamefully still very much with us.

There is considerable harshness in this work, but there is also considerable joy: often in the depiction of Leo's parents; apparent in the bonds established with some of Leo's closest friends both black and white ; flowing in the fraternal relationship Leo has with Caleb - one that goes from physical intimacy to guarded devotion years later, once Caleb becomes a minister.

In a long monologue during a long-delayed reunion with Leo, Caleb reveals himself with heart-wrenching incisiveness as he relates his experiences in Italy during WWII. While the book displays marvelous observational skill Baldwin is particularly accurate in his portrait of the theater and its denizens , this is primarily a study in self-exploration: It's painful, sometimes, to look back on a life and wonder if anything you did could have made any difference.

So much is lost; and what's lost is lost forever. Ultimately, Leo's emotional salvation rests with two characters: Barbara, a white woman from Kentucky and fellow actor, devoted to Leo through thick-and-thin; and Christopher, a black man of a younger, more ideologically militant generation, who - in the time of his recovery - becomes Leo's bodyguard and lover.

This is a stirring work, with a fullness of spirit and a generosity of wisdom. Feb 13, Kat rated it liked it. The back of this book makes it out to be the life story of a black actor who rises to greatness, but is "torn between two different kinds of love". I don't think Baldwin makes as big a deal as all that about the fact that the character, Leo, has one lover who is a woman his age and one who is a man much younger than he is.

The woman, Barbara, is white and that is a big deal. But that doesn't affect their feelings about each other nearly as much as it affects their ability to be together in socie The back of this book makes it out to be the life story of a black actor who rises to greatness, but is "torn between two different kinds of love".

But that doesn't affect their feelings about each other nearly as much as it affects their ability to be together in society. The fact that she and he are both famous actors affects their love story about as much as their racial difference.

Anyway, Baldwin writes subtle characters, and astute political commentary that is not subtle but still doesn't feel heavy-handed or awkwardly inserted. These are things I like in an author.

But the structure of this book feels very Hollywood to me a man recovering from a heart attack reflects on his whole life and the loves therein , and that leaves me cold in a way I can't justify. Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone is a touching exploration of what it means to be black and bisexual and a man and searching for your purpose in America.

It is a book that is as important for us to read now as it was in Try not to get too dispirited by this fact. In true Baldwin style, the writing is fiercely passionate and at times I felt as if I was reading one of his essays. It is a book that is angry and tender and also hopeful.

I am not sure if it would be my recommendation as s Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone is a touching exploration of what it means to be black and bisexual and a man and searching for your purpose in America. I am not sure if it would be my recommendation as someone's first exposure to Baldwin, but it is certainly a book that we can all learn something from.

I finished this book late last night. It's definitely not an easy book to read and I will need to recover with lighter books for some time. Got to gather my thoughts but this is probably one of the greatest novels ever written. Some reviewers say it's not as polished as other JB novels but the energy in this one is palpable.

No novel has made me laugh so genuinely or feel such anguish. I really feel like a new person, transformed, having read it. Early in this novel, Baldwin devotes a few pages to a humorous comparison of the ways French, Swiss and Italian border guards behave: the French being rude and inefficient, the Swiss intensely serious, efficient and systematic, the Italians rather surprised that one had bothered to visit their country but delighted all the same and not remotely concerned about the rules.

From this gentle piece of absurdism, he switches suddenly and brutally to the point: there was no border as sharp and dangerou Early in this novel, Baldwin devotes a few pages to a humorous comparison of the ways French, Swiss and Italian border guards behave: the French being rude and inefficient, the Swiss intensely serious, efficient and systematic, the Italians rather surprised that one had bothered to visit their country but delighted all the same and not remotely concerned about the rules.

From this gentle piece of absurdism, he switches suddenly and brutally to the point: there was no border as sharp and dangerous as the demarcation between the Black and the White segments of an American town or city. So when Leo Proudhammer, a Black American born to a poor family in Harlem, takes it into his mind to become an actor, his brother is incredulous, until Leo makes the inspired observation that his prospects of success in any line of work available to him are precisely zero, and that is how American society is designed; however remote his prospects of success in acting, they are nevertheless better than nil by at least some marginal fraction.

Of course we know from the opening pages of this story that Leo will in fact become famous and affluent as an actor, and towards the end he is exposed to the cynical assertion that his success proves that Black Americans are not excluded from the American Dream, they just need to stop being sorry for themselves and work hard. Mar 03, Chalida rated it liked it Shelves: books-read-since-baby-s-birth , books-read-since-babys-birth , t4sj-book-club.

Not my favorite James Baldwin, but still highly engaging. Engaging enough to read all pages in 8 days during the school year. They publishers market this book with Leo Proudhammer's two love affairs, one with a white woman and the other with a younger, gay Black man post WW2. The latter isn't mentioned until the last 30 pages. The former love affair left out too many details.

I appreciated Proudhammer's strong sense of identity, never seeming to doubt himself nor whom he loved as a Black, bi Not my favorite James Baldwin, but still highly engaging. I appreciated Proudhammer's strong sense of identity, never seeming to doubt himself nor whom he loved as a Black, bisexual man during the 's. Yet, both of his lovers seem to do all the critical talking about race.

I was most engaged reading Baldwin's portrait of this biracial couple at one point living up in upstate NY and seeing others' reactions which made me think about my own relationship and how difficult it would have been 60 years ago. Proudhammer's an interesting character. There is an sexual relationship with his older brother that is touched upon but never explored.

Similarly, the relationships with Barbara and Christopher aren't fully developed and had me inferring. Baldwin ends with a lovely tribute to San Francisco, but the ending is just as abrupt as other parts of the book. Dec 15, Jabiz Raisdana rated it it was amazing Shelves: beautiful , dark , mature , class , lgbt , relationships , identity , family , growing-up , fitting-in. James Baldwin talks to a part of my soul like no other writer. I have read three of his books so far and have made a promise to read every word he has ever written.

This is great, because he has over 20 novels, plays, and collections of short stories and essays. He writes about race, class, art and life like no one else. He is one of the most important writers of our time.

The content is not for MS readers, but he is a name you should add to your list when you are older as someone to explore. I James Baldwin talks to a part of my soul like no other writer. I am moving onto another book of his next. Feb 14, Matthew rated it it was amazing Shelves: fourteen-fictions This one ebbs and flows. An ocean of language. There are moments so epic and petite that I couldn't contain my amazement.

His alienated, bitterly religious father who appears often with slight variation in Baldwin's fiction and Leo's brother Caleb are the only characters who come alive. Leo loves Caleb, and when the white society humiliates Caleb, arrests and beats him before the younger brother's eyes, Leo is traumatized. When Caleb is released from prison and runs away to California, Leo feels deserted and the effect on him is disastrous. He succumbs to all the seductions of the ghetto street and finally becomes the kept boy of a pimp gangster.

Fascinating material but Baldwin just tells us what happened to Leo in a few lines; he doesn't show us, doesn't create it. And this is exactly where the use of the "I" person technique could have been effective. Still, the relationship between the two brothers is always moving and sometimes heartbreaking. The family life is honestly portrayed. Here in the streets of Harlem, in the dark bedrooms, the dangerous hallways, the chanting churches, Baldwin is at his best.

Leo as a child is an interesting and alive character. Unfortunately, the novel next moves into the phony milieu of the theatrical world, and we get Leo as an important actor who pauses that the kiss he plants on a nurse's forehead will probably keep her from washing. The theater as background for a serious novel so earnest in tone is simply not right. Not here anyway. Leo is 19 years old when he escapes Harlem and moves to Greenwich Village, sharing living space with a young, white, unmarried couple.

Barbara is a pretty girl, Kentucky bred; Jerry is an amiable fellow of Italian parentage. By this time Leo is bisexual, but his relationship with the young couple is completely innocent. All three of them are concerned only with becoming actors and they finagle their way into the strawhat dramatic workshop of a famous theater guru, whose characterization is done with deadly wit.

Inevitably, Barbara and Leo become lovers. Jerry is terribly hurt but understands. Barbara and Leo have their troubles with the natives of the strawhat village, and finally this and other pressures make them split up.

They remain close friends as they climb the ladder of success. In fact, Barbara is on stage with Leo when he suffers his heart attack 20 years later, and she helps nurse him back to health. Leo finally finds happiness with a young black militant named Christopher. Barbara seduces Christopher because she wants to recapture the young Leo I think , Leo forgives them both Christopher has an equally classy excuse , and everybody remains friends and lovers.

Christopher takes Leo to some black-power meetings and Leo agrees that the blacks must get guns. Finally Leo, completely recovered from his heart attack, is again in the wings waiting for his cue, ready for work he loves. Ready for life! If this makes the book sound like soap opera, that's exactly right. White Barbara, white as snow, is right out of a slick magazine, flat as cardboard.

At the end of the book Barbara tells Leo she has always loved him and will always continue to love him. Her lines are extravagant, theatrical; she will always come to him when he calls.

Barbara gives this speech at the age of 39; she is rich, she is famous, she has been presented as a reasonably intelligent woman. She has known Leo for 20 years.