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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
challenging
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
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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
This book destroyed me but also healed me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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
“Knowledge is a funny thing, Isaac. It informs by exposing. It shows you precisely how much you don’t know.”
I was pulled into this story from the Author’s note at the very beginning. Like the author, my father passed without ever admitting, let alone apologizing, for his major emotional shortcomings. Writing this book was a way for Daniel Black to heal the gaping wounds this leaves behind.
I don’t like to compare the pain of two different people. Pain is pain and no one deserves to have their pain diminished. But, I have to say what Isaac, the gay son who is the recipient of his father’s deathbed letters, went through is FAR worse than what I went through.
On top of a typical dysfunctional family, he has the added horrors of the impact of slavery and being black in the U.S., being gay in a subculture that considers it an abhorrence, and the lack of love, tenderness and communication when it was needed most. I honestly don’t know if I would be able to climb out of a hole that deep.
Reading the imagined letters that the reformed father wrote to Isaac was definitely a soothing salve. Many of the things he conveyed explained some of the characteristics and behaviors of my own father (and other men I know and love), so it was helpful for me personally as well.
That being said, I still find it difficult to excuse my middle class white father for his emotional neglect. A black man of the same generation is a whole other story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with daddy issues stemming from a hyper-stern and inexpressive father born in the early to mid-1900s, as well as anyone walking the path toward anti-racism. It’s a very quick, deeply emotional, and insightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Don’t Cry for Me
by Daniel Black
4/5 ⭐️
On his deathbed Jacob writes letters to his only son, Isaac. These letters hold his deepest emotions, regrets, and revelations. Jacob and Isaac have been estranged for years. Jacob’s upbringing and values could not let him understand or accept the fact that his son was gay. Jacob needs Isaac to know about his ancestors, his relationship with Isaac’s mother and the remorse he has for dissolving their family unit. Most importantly, Jacob needs Isaac to know that he always loved him even if he did not show it. This book is breathtaking and raw!
Don’t Cry for Me is not going to be for everyone but honestly everyone should read it. It was eye-opening for me as it dissected the relationship of a black father and this gay son. The characters became very dear to my heart. As I finished the book, I thought of my own father who passed away a year ago. I miss him intensely and wish I had more time with him.
by Daniel Black
4/5 ⭐️
On his deathbed Jacob writes letters to his only son, Isaac. These letters hold his deepest emotions, regrets, and revelations. Jacob and Isaac have been estranged for years. Jacob’s upbringing and values could not let him understand or accept the fact that his son was gay. Jacob needs Isaac to know about his ancestors, his relationship with Isaac’s mother and the remorse he has for dissolving their family unit. Most importantly, Jacob needs Isaac to know that he always loved him even if he did not show it. This book is breathtaking and raw!
Don’t Cry for Me is not going to be for everyone but honestly everyone should read it. It was eye-opening for me as it dissected the relationship of a black father and this gay son. The characters became very dear to my heart. As I finished the book, I thought of my own father who passed away a year ago. I miss him intensely and wish I had more time with him.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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