GO TELL IT How James Baldwin Became a Writer

The warmth of Shamaan Casey's baritone surrounds listeners just as words envelop young James Baldwin in this biography. Quartez Harris's text shifts between a straightforward account and an ecstatic celebration. Casey navigates these tonal transitions with ease, expressing "Jimmy's" fascination with language in occasional meditative recitations of words and phrases. Sorrowful tones underscore Baldwin's conflicts with his stepfather, a preacher, and an encounter with racist police officers. Hushed wonderment indicates his personal liberation through books and writing. Beneath Casey's narration a music track provides aural texture: mostly jazz riffs from a piano, trumpet, and drum combo, with a gospel interlude at a key moment. Young listeners may not know Baldwin before encountering this audiobook, but they'll emerge appreciative of the power of words in shaping him. V.S. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2025]