Matt Bomer narrates a new audiobook version of James Baldwin’s novel Giovanni’s Room, Penguin Random House Audio announced.

Baldwin’s novel, published in 1956 by the Dial Press, tells the story of David, an American man in Paris who finds himself entangled with a bartender named Giovanni; their encounter leads to a tragic end. The novel, controversial upon its release because of its LGBTQ+ content, is now considered a classic of American literature. Earlier this year, BBC Radio 4 aired a reading of the book by Kyle Soller (Poldark, Star Wars: Andor).

Bomer is known for his roles in the television series White Collar, American Horror Story, and Fellow Travelers, as well as Broadway performances in 8 and The Boys in the Band. He narrated a previous audiobook, Trent Preszler’s memoir, Little and Often.

The new audiobook version includes a new introduction by Kevin Young, the author and director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. The novel was also republished in a new paperback version earlier this year as part of Penguin Random House’s centennial celebration of Baldwin, who was born in 1924. The author’s centennial is also being celebrated by the Oakland Public Theater in California in a series of readings and performances.

Bomer announced news of the audiobook on the social platform X, writing, “An honor to read one of my favorite books by the icon James Baldwin.”

The audiobook edition of Giovanni’s Room was released Tuesday.

Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.