Friday, July 31, 2009

Happy Birthday James Baldwin

This is a bit early, but James Baldwin's birthday falls on Sunday this year, August 2d. Baldwin was born in New York City in 1924. He expressed an interesting experimental writing style in developing themes of sexual awareness and racial acknowledgement throughout his many works. Importantly, he had the flair for constructing the knock-out title. An illustration of his great work (and titles) includes:

  • Go Tell It To The Mountain
  • The Amen Corner
  • Blues For Mister Charlie
  • Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone
  • If Beale Street Could Talk

I cannot pass up one of Baldwin's famous quotations: "Be careful what you set your heart upon -- for it will surely be yours."

Baldwin died in France in 1987. Happy Birthday, James.

No comments: