Penguin Modern Classics

One of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped Our World''

Baldwin''s ground-breaking second novel, which established him as one of the great American writers of his time

David, a young American in 1950s Paris, is waiting for his fiancée to return from vacation in Spain. But when he meets Giovanni, a handsome Italian barman, the two men are drawn into an intense affair. After three months David''s fiancée returns and, denying his true nature, he rejects Giovanni for a ''safe'' future as a married man. His decision eventually brings tragedy.

Filled with passion, regret and longing, this story of a fated love triangle has become a landmark of gay writing. James Baldwin caused outrage as a black author writing about white homosexuals, yet for him the issues of race, sexuality and personal freedom were eternally intertwined.

''Exquisite... a feat of fire-breathing, imaginative daring'' Guardian

''Excruciating beauty'' San Francisco Chronicle

''Audacious... remarkable... elegant and courageous'' Caryl Phillips