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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
A father, who has been harsh and distant, writes a beautiful letter on his deathbed to his estranged son, saying all the things he wished he could have said but didn't know how to say. Tender, hopeful, human, frail and courageous. I hope this book finds those who might need to believe that their own father or mother had thought these things at the end.
I desperately want to read more books written in letter format like this. This was such a tragic and heartbreaking read. A dying man has realized he likely will not live long enough to make amends to his gay son, and attempts to do so through a string of letters. He writes out the story of his life in a bid to explain why he is the way he is, and you can see hints of his changing personality as the letters continue. Highly recommend!
This book portrays the complicated relationship between a father and his queer son in a devastatingly beautiful way. Daniel Black captures the tension created by unhealthy masculinity heavily influenced by generational trauma and how that affects the way we interact with our loved ones and the world. Jacob goes on a profound healing journey, and I'm left wondering if Isaac had the same opportunity.
Wow.
What many lessons to be learned through this historical fiction. I have so many questions. Not ones that needed to be answered in the story but just so many "what ifs" and inner thoughts about this story of a dying man coming to terms with death, his many flaws, and how those flaws came to be in the first place.
The continuous heartbreak and occasional reconciliation were presented in such a powerfully stormy way, and I teared up a time or two. It's interesting to read a book written from a POV that, from another POV, possibly wouldn't have been someone to root for at all. I wanted our narrator to overcome his demons even though he was brutal at times.
Story aside, the format of this novel is very creative. I've never read a book featuring letters (as in mailed letters, not like the alphabet) as chapters. The story jumped around a little at times, especially in the beginning. It made sense for the format, and it ironed itself out quickly, so this wasn't an issue. I annotate my books, and I only found two things I didn't like. Both of these things happened early on, and they were both either minor or worth including as part of a group conversation.
All in all, wonderful book.
What many lessons to be learned through this historical fiction. I have so many questions. Not ones that needed to be answered in the story but just so many "what ifs" and inner thoughts about this story of a dying man coming to terms with death, his many flaws, and how those flaws came to be in the first place.
The continuous heartbreak and occasional reconciliation were presented in such a powerfully stormy way, and I teared up a time or two. It's interesting to read a book written from a POV that, from another POV, possibly wouldn't have been someone to root for at all. I wanted our narrator to overcome his demons even though he was brutal at times.
Story aside, the format of this novel is very creative. I've never read a book featuring letters (as in mailed letters, not like the alphabet) as chapters. The story jumped around a little at times, especially in the beginning. It made sense for the format, and it ironed itself out quickly, so this wasn't an issue. I annotate my books, and I only found two things I didn't like. Both of these things happened early on, and they were both either minor or worth including as part of a group conversation.
All in all, wonderful book.
Poetic. A perfect definition of this story. Daniel Black delivered a magnetic story of a fathers road to understanding.
As Jacob lays on his death bed, he pens poetic letters of his life’s journey to his gay son Isaac. In a period of time where non-traditional lifestyles are not acceptable, Jacob details the trials and tribulations of his life and the events that molded him.
This was my first read by Daniel Black and he didn’t disappoint. Don’t Cry For Me is definitely in my top 5 for 2022 so far.
As Jacob lays on his death bed, he pens poetic letters of his life’s journey to his gay son Isaac. In a period of time where non-traditional lifestyles are not acceptable, Jacob details the trials and tribulations of his life and the events that molded him.
This was my first read by Daniel Black and he didn’t disappoint. Don’t Cry For Me is definitely in my top 5 for 2022 so far.
i don’t know how to rate this but i know many men that need to read this. it was so infuriating to read because i have first hand experience with a man who acts just like Jacob, but it is honestly the harsh truth of many black father-son relationships. this is set only a couple generations past slavery and i promise the same behaviors are still being passed down.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I read it in less than 24 hours. I could not put it down. The anticipation of the ending made me continue to read “one more page” until I read it all. This is my favorite read of 2023 thus far and I’m 8 books in!
I really enjoyed this book. I think anyone can read this and get something from it. From a fathers perspective writing letters to his boy, everyone can learn something new. The ending was a little slow but overall this was a nice comforting book.
This was a moving novel about a man’s life and his failures as a father told through letters written by him to his estranged, gay son. Jacob was never able to connect with his son Isaac, as Isaac was sensitive and didn’t like sports, so he didn’t meet Jacob’s idea of what a boy and a man should be. On his deathbed, Jacob reflects on his upbringing and how he raised his son and regrets the choices he made. I loved getting Jacob’s POV, as usually in stories like this, they are told from the perspective of Isaac’s character. We were really able to sit with Jacob as he truly reflected on his failures as a father. I did, however, wish we got at least a little bit of Jacob’s perspective, as we only get to see him through his father’s eyes and since they are estranged, we don’t really get to even know him as a character. I am really glad I read this novel now, as I am about to become a father in a few months. I will definitely be taking lessons from it about how fathers should be vulnerable and open with their children and not to let things go unsaid with anyone you love, but particularly your children.