Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

Don't Cry for Me: A Novel by Daniel Black

28 reviews

nad_books623's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story is something that a lot of Black families can connect with. The story reminds me of my grandfathers childhood and possibly what some of my distant relatives experienced. There were moments that it was difficult for me to read but the story was well written and too compelling. I had to give it a day, but this book is staying with me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Cancer, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Classism, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, and Racism

Minor: Racial slurs, Child death, Infidelity, and Slavery

canascorner's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abortion, Suicide, Death of parent, Bullying, Grief, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Racism

sarah_speaks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Death, Sexism, and Child abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Animal death, Abortion, and Miscarriage

jbird_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Alcoholism and Abortion

sydneybedell's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Physical abuse, and Racism

Minor: Abortion

gigisxm's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Exactly 10 years ago i submitted another Daniel Black book to my book club. We read Perfect peace and I hated it, i toor it appart in my review (swipe)

Yet i didn’t hesitate to submit his most recent work of fiction Don’t cry for me for our bookclub pick for May. 10 years had elapsed and i went into it with an open mind and loved the deeply moving, beautifully written masterpiece by Dr Black. 5 stars are not enough for this historical novel. I have an aversion to Historical novels as a whole, but this is how you do it! The imagery was stunning. Can Ava Duvernay option this one for the big screen? The characters are layered and engaging and flawed and authentically human. I had deep empathy for every character. The premise is sad but deep layers of pain are so masterfully written that you are transported into this world. And find grace for each character where they are.

The themes are plentiful in this one. Here are just a few that stood out to me (there are many many more) Home, Self, Vulnerability,Intimacy, Ancestry, Ancestors and communicating with them, Land, Growth, Abuse, Reading/books, Abuse, Magical realism, Death, Redemption, Gender roles, relationships, abandonment, abuse, going back to your roots, rebirth, truth…… Oh and lest not forget the biblical reference, that another layer in itself. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve been compelled to look up the authors interviews after I’ve completed a book. With this one I ran over to YouTube immediately after reading the last line. This novel is begging for a sequel and the author has confirmed that Issac’s Song has already been written. So now we wait. All members enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the sequel. So Dr Black will be a three-peat author in our club. We had a great discussion. It reminded me of the early days of the club. I don’t re-read books but I feel compelled to read this one again.

#bookreview #dontcryformebook #islandgirlreads #sxmbibliophile 

22/60 #goodreadsreadingchallenge
 5/12 #bookclub
 9/20 #booksbyblackfolx

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Hate crime

Moderate: Death, Bullying, Cancer, Abortion, Child death, Religious bigotry, and Terminal illness

sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

update: 1 hour later

I had book club and discussed this book with some really cool friends. After talking it out I can see where the author was going with this book. I think my take away is that we should give Black men grace and understand when it comes to the ways they show up in our lives. Some of them might not know the "typical" ways to show love so they show love in the only ways they know.

I'm giving this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

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This book is ultimately about generational trauma and Black boy and manhood.
The main character wasn't likeable at all and I didn't like how terrible the main character was. With each confession I just became more and more irritated with the book and him. He was somewhat a grey area character, but to me he was just an unlikeable asshole. 

He often complained that he wanted his child to "be a man" and be confident and have strength but every chance the main character has at reaching out to his child to reconcile their relationship, he shys away. So now he's the meek one? Yeah, I don't like that hypocrisy, with as much grief as he gave his son for not acting like "a man", he could have stood up and "been a man" when it came to connecting with his son. 

I felt sorry for his family because they had to deal with him. I understand that he is trying to learn and do better as a person, he's so unlikeable that I don't care if he's trying to become a better person. I'm trying to be understanding to his character but it's hard for me.

My friends felt more sympathy than I did for the main character and maybe you will too.

I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Outing, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

jaylee_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Alcohol, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Hate crime

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Minor: Murder

laurataylor's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Chronic illness, Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Medical content, Colonisation, Cursing, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Racism

megwilli's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Abortion