When James Baldwin handed over the manuscript of Giovanni's room In 1956, his editor recommended he burn it. The story of a love triangle between two men in bohemian Paris of the 1950s broke too many taboos for American society at the time. Baldwin, a Black writer who dared to narrate the passion between two white men, turned that novel into a literary landmark. Today it is considered one of the fundamental works of queer literature and one of the great American novels of the 20th century.

The story follows David, a young American searching for himself, who becomes engaged to Hella in Paris but finds himself irresistibly drawn to Giovanni, a magnetic and provocative Italian waiter. Torn between desire, secrecy, and fear, David faces an impossible choice: the security of a conventional life with Hella or the uncertainty of surrendering to passionate love with Giovanni. His choice will determine his fate and lead to an unforgettable tragedy.

With intense and heartbreaking prose, Baldwin explores identity, desire, and social oppression in an essential novel that continues to resonate with generations of readers.