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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I decided to read this book (audible) because I read one of the author’s other books. When I tell you this novel, this story, his truths and experiences are so powerful. This book had gotten a hold of me and I couldn’t shake it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Slavery did a number on black people. We haven’t survived it yet.”
“Hurt lingers in the soul.”
“No one should demenish themselves to prove their love.”
“No one can make you happy if you’re determined to be miserable.”
There were so many quotes but above are some of my favorites. This was a phenomenal story. Yes for some it will be hard and for some i hope you can open your minds. The way Daniel Black captured this particular experience in words is truly breathtaking. A lot of truth in this gem.
You may not like Jacob or what he has to say but this is a lot of black fathers. Hell families in general. I respect his truth. It’s sad that it came so late. If parents actually just loved their kids no matter their sexual orientation that probably would help them not to find love elsewhere. Also could help them live a more fulfilling life from childhood. No child should have to put on a circus/act just to get their parents attention and unconditional love. The screen with the Jacob’s son getting beat up and then staying with his wife probably wouldn’t have happened if his son felt comfortable to be open with his parents.
Even the stories of the male and female roles in the house was something to think about. Men seemingly doing what they want while the women can’t even have a dream let alone a voice. Thank God for the women that didn’t lose themselves completely. Making it known it’s “okay” to go after what you want.
I can’t say my heart breaks for parents like this because the kids are not the ones missing out. It sucks that you know how you’re treating your child is wrong but can’t put your pride to the side. Then it becomes too late. No one should have to wait for “too late” when you can do it now. Glad it shows these kinds of parents are sensitive ashamed of themselves.
Anyways read or listen to the book. Learn something and go be better.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’d give it 3.5 stars. I wanted to give it more initially. The story is important and beautiful and emotional and the book was hard to set down. However, it just felt…underdeveloped? Maybe even poorly written at some parts. I hate to criticize the actual writing of any book because frankly, the ability to write a book at all is remarkable, but there was a lot of inconsistencies here.
The book is written in a series of letters from father to son. Because of this, I believe, the author tried to use a more casual tone but very randomly. The writing style would switch between a very casual, almost conversational tone that you would expect to see in a letter, to a very formal and fanciful style that seemed out of place. I think either of these writing styles would have been great, but the inconsistency was confusing and distracting. Additionally, our narrator constantly seems to be giving disclaimers saying things will “make sense in the end” insinuating some grand reveal that never really came? There also is a random supernatural element that comes into play where apparently one of the characters can talk to dead people…I took it more metaphorically at first or even perhaps as an illustration of spirituality and connecting with your ancestors but at one point a character starts “speaking in tongues” to the dead by a gravesite. It just seemed very out of place and took me out of the story a little bit. The author seemed to insinuate more would come of it but it never really did??
On a more superficial note, the amount of times the phrase “to be honest” was used in this book might just be a record. I’m also not sure the author knows any other way to describe an attractive woman other than the word “shapely” so make what you will of that.
Ultimately, that’s why I gave the rating I did. I do want to reiterate I still really enjoyed the book and the story. It’s a relatively quick read, engaging, and impactful. It just seems like it could have been flushed out a little more or spent some more time in the editing process.
The book is written in a series of letters from father to son. Because of this, I believe, the author tried to use a more casual tone but very randomly. The writing style would switch between a very casual, almost conversational tone that you would expect to see in a letter, to a very formal and fanciful style that seemed out of place. I think either of these writing styles would have been great, but the inconsistency was confusing and distracting. Additionally, our narrator constantly seems to be giving disclaimers saying things will “make sense in the end” insinuating some grand reveal that never really came? There also is a random supernatural element that comes into play where apparently one of the characters can talk to dead people…I took it more metaphorically at first or even perhaps as an illustration of spirituality and connecting with your ancestors but at one point a character starts “speaking in tongues” to the dead by a gravesite. It just seemed very out of place and took me out of the story a little bit. The author seemed to insinuate more would come of it but it never really did??
On a more superficial note, the amount of times the phrase “to be honest” was used in this book might just be a record. I’m also not sure the author knows any other way to describe an attractive woman other than the word “shapely” so make what you will of that.
Ultimately, that’s why I gave the rating I did. I do want to reiterate I still really enjoyed the book and the story. It’s a relatively quick read, engaging, and impactful. It just seems like it could have been flushed out a little more or spent some more time in the editing process.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finished this in one day. It was interesting and helped me see into our parents old ways. Although, the reasoning behind the behaviors of our parents is something I’m already aware of. It was great to hear it from a father’s point of view. Their parents didn’t show love the way the next generation shows love. Generations change and so does their needs, so it’s up to each generation of parents to adapt to the new generation to help them in ways that maybe they didn’t get help. It just had me reflecting on how sometimes I think the new generation is so weak and entitled at times and that is because of how my generation was raised we were raised to be independent and get the job done and to live to a certain standard but then we always are healing in ways to stop being involved in things that no longer serve us. I believe the new generation is a product of the one before and it comes down to the saying that it really does “take a village”. I’m ranting, but this book got me thinking and going down a rabbit hole. 😅
