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Go Tell It on the Mountain

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Go Tell It on the Mountain

By: James Baldwin
Narrated by: Joe Morton, Roxane Gay, Andrew O'Hagan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

James Baldwin's electrifying first novel.


'I had to deal with what hurt me most. I had to deal with my father.'

Drawing on James Baldwin's own boyhood in a religious community in 1930s Harlem, his first novel tells the story of young Johnny Grimes. Johnny is destined to become a preacher like his father, Gabriel, at the Temple of the Fire Baptized, where the church swells with song and it is as if 'the Holy Ghost were riding on the air'. But he feels only scalding hatred for Gabriel, whose fear and fanaticism lead him to abuse his family. Johnny vows that, for him, things will be different. This blazing tale is full of passion and guilt, of secret sinners and prayers singing on the wind.

'His prose hit me, almost winding me with its intensity. I'd never read a novel that described loneliness and desire with such burning eloquence' Douglas Field, Guardian

'A beautiful, enduring, spirtual song of a novel' Andrew O'Hagan

'[Morton] tunes into Baldwin's voice, understands his characters and knows how to bring Go Tell It on the Mountain to life for listeners. This is a timely reminder of why James Baldwin's work remains relevant and, a century after his birth, his voice must still be heard.' Entertainment Focus


©1954 James Baldwin (P)2024 Penguin Audio
African American Biographical Fiction Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

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Critic reviews

'It broke my heart and made me want to jump up and down... It captures an essential aspect of life in America, its contradictions and seductions, that bittersweet mix of love and hate that so many feel towards the country.' (Azar Nafisi)

'His prose hit me, almost winding me with its intensity.' (Douglas Field)

Most relevant  
I would like to point out that John’s view and experience of Christianity is not a true reflection of God but indeed his (john’s) experience which is very sad but realistic for many people. I actually got more intrigue the more i listen.

Deep into one’s mind is the best way to describe this book

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The superb narration by Joe Morton and Roxane Gay really added flesh to the bones of this compelling story. This was my first taste of James Baldwin, certainly won't be my last.

Best Audiobook to date

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Although well known, I was new to James Baldwin. I especially liked being conveyed into the life doninated by religious practice of Black America during the mid 20th century. Baldwin portrays this world in all it's vibrancy. The reading is outstanding. I will be reading and listening to more of James Baldwin

New to James Baldwin

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A great performance carries a very repetitive churchy yarn. The story is rather great, but heavily steeped in preaching.

Brautifully performed, repetitive chant

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This is a story that should be on the curriculum of every North American high school in the 21st century. Truly an education about disadvantaged life, attitudes and prejudices in the 50s. Racism, religious repression and individual arrogance at the forefront. Highly recommended.

An important American novel

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Interesting coming of age novel, what stands out is its structure of chapters each from a different characters perspective, and secondly the powerful and at times terrifying depiction of the hypocrisy of his preacher step father, whose actions severely undermine his standing as a man of faith.

Early work of a fine writer, very well read

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