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dinasamimi's review against another edition
4.0
This is a reflective, deeply personal book. I don't read enough about fathers and sons. This is a story of a dying father, writing to his queer son, examining, explaining, reflecting. Daniel Black mentioned in his author's note that he wants us to consider the capacity of father's hearts -- it is such a beautiful sentiment that Black carries throughout their story -- and something I will carry in my own relationship with my father.
allbookedup1953's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shante9700's review
5.0
This book is a hymn to Black Malehood, land and the ancestors in discovering what it means to truly be a man. Well done.
halliedag's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
4.25
megn317's review
3.0
It was eye opening and honest. I loved the last letter. But to be honest, I wish I could have met his son and heard his opinions….an epilogue at least—did he move to the land? Did he forgive his father? I felt very unfulfilled. I learned a lot about perspective though…and how “the past” wasn’t that long ago. It was good but not great. Too open ended for me to love it.
readbetweendeelines's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
seeceeread's review against another edition
Understand that I never knew how to love. I dreamed of it, but I never experienced it. What I knew was pain, so that's what I gave you. I had never seen a Black life free from it. So my job as a father, I assumed, was to prepare your back for the load.
Jacob is alone, wheezing out his final days with untreated cancer. He has made a deal with Death: once he finishes a letter to his son, he will go with her. For three months, he pens something near-daily, recounting his own life and losses, as well as the small crevices that gaped into a chasm between him and Isaac. Masculinity is heavy on his heart, a yoke that he only recently recognized as burdensome, as he learned to shift beneath it. Wrapped tightly around his decades-long gender identity is a rigidity around sexuality that cost him his only child. As he nears the end of his days, he painstakingly pieces together alternate ways from trusted voices – a book recommendation from his ex-wife, charged political discussions with a cherished colleague, a reunion with a hometown elder who decries his own erstwhile foolishness. Jacob asks to take back the pain he showered on Isaac, and to be remembered more for his effort than his outcomes.
Black's opening author note makes clear that this project was a labor of intense love—for his father as he died. The book is by turns tender and unflinching, heartwarming and curdling. This is for readers who enjoyed Brinkley's 𝗔 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻 and Escoffery's 𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂, readers who value complicated, gruff, difficult men who ebb and flow, bristling against new knowledge, rather than soften. The novel weaves a chrysalis around sons who have been held at arm's length, anticipating that the next generations will transform (us).
marinaemoore's review
4.0
4.5/5 stars. The writing was beautiful and evoked emotion. I did take away 1/2 star and consequently rounded down because it did feel slow-paced at times.
jordan_linder's review
5.0
Quick and powerful read. From the father’s perspective, so deep and thought provoking. Recommend!