From the Lists: #39 Go Tell It on the Mountain

Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953) by James Baldwin is a semi-autobiographical novel examining the role of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, both as a source of repression and moral hypocrisy and as a source of inspiration and community in the early 20^th century. It also, subtly discusses racism in the United States as experienced by African-Americans in both the South and Harlem following the turn of the century to 1920.

The story is imaginatively told from the perspectives of four characters: John (the protagonist), his Mother Elizabeth, his stepfather Gabriel Grimes, and Gabriel’s sister Florence. The Grimes family unit is in constant crisis due to Gabriel’s inability to forgive himself and his family members for their past sins. Their home and social lives revolve around a storefront, charismatic Christian church where the Lord speaks directly to the faithful, tears are shed in prayer, tongues are spoken, and the members are filled with the holy spirit. 

Well, all members except for John, who at 14, is beginning to question his faith. His crisis of faith comes from his relationship with his stepfather as well a belief that his awakening sexuality is a sign of his sinfulness making him unworthy of God’s love.

The novel is divided into five sections, much like the Pentateuch. The characters are first introduced from John’s 14-year-old perspective. The next three parts occur in the church where the histories of the adults in John’s life are revealed through the prayers they offer during a Saturday night “Tarry” service, a Friday or Saturday night service during which congregants pray and wait for the lord to speak to them directly. I found this video of a tarry service that may give you a better idea of what John was experiencing when the spirit came upon him in the novel’s final scene.

I really quite enjoyed reading this novel. I felt as if I could relate each character with myself or someone I know. The writing was crisp and although the action occurs in space of a few hours, the narrative does not linger on the mundane as do many modernist novels of this time. In this case, every word moves the story and the reader’s understanding forward.

Recommendation: 4 enthusiastically sung hymns out of 5

Next up: The Bridge of San Luis Rey Thornton Wilder

100 Best English Novels of the 20th Century