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A review by bookishkellyn
Isaac's Song by Daniel Black
emotional
reflective
- 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
Isaac seeks help from a therapist to unpack his complicated grief. Through a journaling exercise, he recounts his life and sorts his emotions with a new historical lens. The diary format gave it a generational vibe as it spanned multiple decades of his most significant interactions and pivotal events before coming full circle.
I haven’t read a book that touched me this much since The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois. (The beautiful writing even made me feel sympathy for his father–a previously unsympathetic character at first glance–and willing to try and read his book.) The prologue alone had me in my feelings, but the ending had me crying.
I haven’t read a book that touched me this much since The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois. (The beautiful writing even made me feel sympathy for his father–a previously unsympathetic character at first glance–and willing to try and read his book.) The prologue alone had me in my feelings, but the ending had me crying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Sexism