Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Don't Cry for Me: A Novel

I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts about this book into words.
Don't Cry for Me is an epistolary novel written from a father on his death bed to his gay son who he hasn't spoken to in years. The writing is so well done that if you had told me these were actual letters written by a man to his son, I would believe you. Daniel Black definitely has a gift (and also reads the audiobook which I recommend listening to).
Being able to see Jacob reflect on his entire life and think of all the things he wish he had done differently was heartbreaking. Seeing his reasoning for doing the things he'd done and hearing his regrets made me sadder than I expected to be.
I rate this book highly, but I'm not really sure who I would recommend it to. Please check the trigger warnings before reading this book.

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mcz_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I appreciated the perspective of Don't Cry for Me. Jacob is of a generation concerned more with survival than self-improvement, and the letters he writes to his gay son, Isaac, offer depth and nuance that I don't often see in literature when it comes to flawed fathers. This book offers context without justifying the harm Jacob caused; however, I would have liked to see more validation of how he his wife, Rachel, and Isaac. Jacob's remorse seems to stem more from his loneliness than in his acceptance that he was wrong. I would have liked to see more in general. The epistolary format of the novel was a unique approach and made a quick read of Jacob's life, but I think some non-letter chapters would have added depth to the story. I would have liked to see a little of Isaac's perspective. The writing style is suited to the book's format; it is plain-spoken to match Jacob's character, but Black does no shy away from literary flair when it adds to the story.

I did like this book and I would recommend others pick it up if they are interested. However, I think the people who would benefit most from it--fathers entrenched in toxic masculinity--would be the hardest to convince to read it.

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