Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Don't Cry for Me: A Novel by Daniel Black

53 reviews

sydneybedell's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Abortion

tahsintries's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Racism

gigisxm's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Exactly 10 years ago i submitted another Daniel Black book to my book club. We read Perfect peace and I hated it, i toor it appart in my review (swipe)

Yet i didn’t hesitate to submit his most recent work of fiction Don’t cry for me for our bookclub pick for May. 10 years had elapsed and i went into it with an open mind and loved the deeply moving, beautifully written masterpiece by Dr Black. 5 stars are not enough for this historical novel. I have an aversion to Historical novels as a whole, but this is how you do it! The imagery was stunning. Can Ava Duvernay option this one for the big screen? The characters are layered and engaging and flawed and authentically human. I had deep empathy for every character. The premise is sad but deep layers of pain are so masterfully written that you are transported into this world. And find grace for each character where they are.

The themes are plentiful in this one. Here are just a few that stood out to me (there are many many more) Home, Self, Vulnerability,Intimacy, Ancestry, Ancestors and communicating with them, Land, Growth, Abuse, Reading/books, Abuse, Magical realism, Death, Redemption, Gender roles, relationships, abandonment, abuse, going back to your roots, rebirth, truth…… Oh and lest not forget the biblical reference, that another layer in itself. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve been compelled to look up the authors interviews after I’ve completed a book. With this one I ran over to YouTube immediately after reading the last line. This novel is begging for a sequel and the author has confirmed that Issac’s Song has already been written. So now we wait. All members enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the sequel. So Dr Black will be a three-peat author in our club. We had a great discussion. It reminded me of the early days of the club. I don’t re-read books but I feel compelled to read this one again.

#bookreview #dontcryformebook #islandgirlreads #sxmbibliophile 

22/60 #goodreadsreadingchallenge
 5/12 #bookclub
 9/20 #booksbyblackfolx

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Hate crime

Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, and Abortion

hayleyvharrington's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcohol

stephanieswilley's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

sup3r_xn0va_maya's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

update: 1 hour later

I had book club and discussed this book with some really cool friends. After talking it out I can see where the author was going with this book. I think my take away is that we should give Black men grace and understand when it comes to the ways they show up in our lives. Some of them might not know the "typical" ways to show love so they show love in the only ways they know.

I'm giving this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. 

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This book is ultimately about generational trauma and Black boy and manhood.
The main character wasn't likeable at all and I didn't like how terrible the main character was. With each confession I just became more and more irritated with the book and him. He was somewhat a grey area character, but to me he was just an unlikeable asshole. 

He often complained that he wanted his child to "be a man" and be confident and have strength but every chance the main character has at reaching out to his child to reconcile their relationship, he shys away. So now he's the meek one? Yeah, I don't like that hypocrisy, with as much grief as he gave his son for not acting like "a man", he could have stood up and "been a man" when it came to connecting with his son. 

I felt sorry for his family because they had to deal with him. I understand that he is trying to learn and do better as a person, he's so unlikeable that I don't care if he's trying to become a better person. I'm trying to be understanding to his character but it's hard for me.

My friends felt more sympathy than I did for the main character and maybe you will too.

I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Outing

cc_shelflove's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense 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

3.5

Receiving something like this from your dead parent would honestly be a gift. Told in letters written to his son, Jacob asks Isaac for amends after he failed as a father and ostracized his son for being gay. The letters read like a memoir, so I often forgot I was reading a piece of fiction. Don’t Cry for Me was very educational in that it explored both generational and racial differences. There are so many stories about the past that we forget to ask our loved ones while they are alive. Once they are gone, the questions seem to flow more freely. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, and I think the book would have been better if it included Isaac’s reactions to the letters. Overall, a strongly worded novel.

If you liked this book, check out Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism and Child death

Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Blood

bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Racism

randisworld's review

emotional reflective sad fast-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

This was an incredible story. I saw my father, grandfathers and my uncles in this story. I even saw myself…this was so beautiful. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Hate crime

Minor: Domestic abuse

afroheaux's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was an incredibly emotional read. Take care while reading. It dives deep into the roots of abuse and it’s cyclical nature. The author does a great job of making you feel empathy for the character without making you feel like he’s absolved of his misdeeds. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexual violence