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The fifth novel by celebrated author and activist James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk is a story of love, false imprisonment, and the struggle to live a free life in a racist society
. First published in 1974, the book is told mostly from the perspective of Tish, a young Black woman in New York City working to get her boyfriend, Fonny, out of jail before their baby is born. Barry Jenkins’s 2018 film adaptation of the book garnered critical praise and dozens of nominations and awards.Read the full book summary, the full story analysis, and explanations of important quotes from If Beale Street Could Talk.