Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone (1998) - Plot & Excerpts
Tell Me How Long the Train Has Been Gone is James Baldwin’s fourth novel. Published in 1968, Baldwin’s work explores his usual themes of racism, white privilege, bisexuality, Christianity and interracial relationships. Though not as prominently recognized as Giovanni’s Room, Go Tell it On the Mountain, or If Beale Street Could Talk, Baldwin’s fourth novel builds on themes otherwise discussed in these previous works. At the time of writing Tell Me How Long the Train Has Been Gone, Baldwin was known for his essays, Notes of a Native Son and The Fire Next Time. Early reviews of this work, such as Mario Puzo’s review in the New York Times, had criticized Baldwin for creating one-dimensional characters and theatrical plot development. Baldwin uses first-person narration to convey the story of Leo Proudhammer, a self-made African-American actor and his relationships whether sexual or fraternal with his fellow actors. The novel started with Leo Proudhammer having a heart attack on stage. Leo’s hospital stay thereafter, created the opportunity for the character to reveal his past through a series of flashbacks. Through these flashbacks the reader is introduced to the relationship between Leo, his brother Caleb, and his religious father and sympathetic mother. The lure of streets caught up with Caleb, and when the police arrest and beat him before Leo’s eyes, the young man is scarred for life. Here begins a long exploration into Leo's search for meaning in acting and relationships. Through acting the reader sees Leo struggle against institutional racism in the world of theater through his choice of roles. When acting opportunities are reduced to stereotype positions, Leo finds meaning in relationships with people. Leo chooses to have relationships with characters that would be in conflict with the white power establishment. Whether with Barbara or the black power activist Christopher, Leo uses these people to fill the void that Caleb left in Leo’s life. When Caleb returns, he is no longer the brother that Leo knew. The institution of prison had broken down Caleb, and as an ordained preacher, Caleb now represented the acceptance of what Leo considered the downfall of his father and the whole of the Africa-American race. While not his greatest work on characterization, I believe Baldwin finds his literary muse and genius in describing the complex relationship between Leo and Caleb, and Leo and his Father. While other characters like Barbara, Jerry and to some extent Christopher appear one-dimensional, Baldwin’s focus never strays from his go-to themes. While the novel lags at times, and becomes more involved in the soap-opera relationships of the characters, it still contains moments of greatness, that remind the reader why Baldwin is more than just an essayist.
“Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone” by James Baldwin tells the story of Leo Proudhammer, a successful African American actor who grew up in Harlem. The book is set in no one place, but rather is a retelling of Proudhammer’s life, from his childhood in the ghettos of Harlem to the bright city stages. Growing up in Harlem with his small family, Proudhammer became inspired by the movies he frequently watches, and decides to become an actor. He works hard, moving from city to city, dancing with poverty, and meeting his lifelong partner, Barbara, a stunning woman stuck in the same dilemmas as he. The book showcases his struggles through life, which will draw the reader into this realistic tale of another ordinary man who becomes extraordinary. The most memorable moment to me is when a young Proudhammer gets lost in the subways of Harlem. As he stands alone, a sole black child in a sea of white passengers, he spots another black man in the train. This unknown man eventually notices Proudhammer, and helps him find his way home. It is the conservations between this man, who is never seen again after this scene, and Proudhammer that is impactful. While talking to this man, Proudhammer is asked, “What do you want to be?” He, then and there, spontaneously decides and replies “an actor” This is the moment that defined the rest of Proudhammer’s life, as he had found his dream, standing next to a stranger, lost in Harlem. Ultimately, the story of Leo Proudhammer is a story prevailing over obstacles, having determination despite bleak circumstances, and making your own way through life. It all adds up to a tale of human perseverance, an example showing that hard work can, and will, pay off. “Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone,” artfully tells that story, reminding us that no one is alone in their struggle for happiness. I recommend this book to those who like a good story, but dislike magical or fantastical elements. Fans of science fiction and fantasy will find the realism boring, but the down-to earth style can be attractive for others. Personally, I found the book a bit tedious, being a fan of books such as “1984” by George Orwell, and “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card. However, I do know a few friends that would enjoy this book, and maybe you will too.
What do You think about Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone (1998)?
This is my second Baldwin title, and he still sits as one of the best writers i've ever stumbled upon. In this novel, just like Another Country, I saw parts of myself in many of the characters, which is a talent that cannot be scaled. The pain and the lust and the intimacy and the world pre-civil rights all was hyper real and demonstrated how many aspects of the Black American Male psyche has not changed, and cannot change without replacing instilled hatred with love. As hard as that actually is, in the day to day, when encountering a world still baffled by plenty of ignorance. Baldwin represents that he understands, and for me is a hug that no father or mother, or bestfriend, or lover could ever give.
—Kamron Alexander
Once again James Baldwin has blown my mind. Some authors are very tedious when addressing the race issue in our country, but Baldwin explores it from a different angle in each of his books. This book dives into the religious aspects that are apparent in Go Tell It On The Mountain and the interracial relationships that are clear in Another Country and the homosexual relationships that are present in Giovanni's Room. He is able to blend everything together in this book to depict the life of Leo Proudhammer, a black who was born into the Harlem life and grew up to become a famous, renowned author. Once again, Baldwin plays with structure and tells this story sporadically and non linearly. A truly amazing book. James Baldwin has once again won my heart.
—Virginia Baker
I read the Penguin Twentieth Century Classics edition of this book and I would be happy to classify it as a "great American novel". It's beautifully and powerfully written, if a little slow at the start, and the protagonist, Leo Proudhammer, is a thoughtful, sympathetic and engaging character, as are most of the supporting cast. I think it has pretty broad appeal as the story of someone trying to make it against the odds. But it's also what the internet calls "relevant to my interests", in a huge way. First it's a novel about struggling against racism, in a period where racial injustice was more obvious, though the issues are still very pertinent today (police certainly haven't stopped violently targeting young black men). The dialogue is really sharp in this regard, with plenty of quotable moments, especially in the brunch scene with Barbara's family. It's also about the potential conflict between art and politics, in this case theatre in contrast with the growing anti-racist movement in the streets. The decision to pursue the aesthetic or creative over the more directly political is really close to home for me. And the idea of what it means to betray your people or forget your roots. The scene in the Italian restaurant where Leo is sitting with his white friends looking across at some African-Americans at another table (whom he later invites to drink with them) was very resonant for me. And then it's queer - one of very few "classics" with a bisexual protagonist, and there's a sort of polyamory thread in there as well. It addresses the pressures of interracial dating (and even interracial friendship) at the time, as well as relationships crossing age gaps and class differences. Oh yeah, Christopher calls Leo "Big Daddy". Hmm. There were just so many points in the book where I felt like it was some kind of time-travel fan-service, all I can say is thanks.
—Lia
