Don't Cry for Me: A Novel

Written by Daniel Black

Narrated by Daniel Black

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK IN ESSENCE MAGAZINE, THE MILLIONS AND BOOKISH


"Don't Cry for Me is a perfect song."—Jesmyn Ward

A Black father makes amends with his gay son through letters written on his deathbed in this wise and penetrating novel of empathy and forgiveness, for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Robert Jones Jr. and Alice Walker

As Jacob lies dying, he begins to write a letter to his only son, Isaac. They have not met or spoken in many years, and there are things that Isaac must know. Stories about his ancestral legacy in rural Arkansas that extend back to slavery. Secrets from Jacob's tumultuous relationship with Isaac's mother and the shame he carries from the dissolution of their family. Tragedies that informed Jacob's role as a father and his reaction to Isaac's being gay.

But most of all, Jacob must share with Isaac the unspoken truths that reside in his heart. He must give voice to the trauma that Isaac has inherited. And he must create a space for the two to find peace. 

With piercing insight and profound empathy, acclaimed author Daniel Black illuminates the lived experiences of Black fathers and queer sons, offering an authentic and ultimately hopeful portrait of reckoning and reconciliation. Spare as it is sweeping, poetic as it is compulsively readable, Don't Cry for Me is a monumental novel about one family grappling with love's hard edges and the unexpected places where hope and healing take flight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781488213175

Daniel Black

Daniel Black is an author and professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University. His books include The Coming, Perfect Peace and They Tell Me of a Home. He is the winner of the Distinguished Writer Award from the Middle-Atlantic Writer's Association and has been nominated for the Townsend Prize for Fiction, the Ernest J. Gaines Award,and the Georgia Author of the Year Award. He was raised in Blackwell, Arkansas, and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews for Don't Cry for Me

[Angel Salmond · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh Man! This was for my soul. I saw my Dad in this novel. The man he was raised to be. Great man but, you know, he tries. I felt my Mom in this story, how she supports me in everything I do! This novel made me miss my Grandma! Such a sweet as pie lady and it also made me miss my very best friend who died 9/18/20. Her love was enough. What an amazing novel! Thanks!

[sonjatall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story kept me wanting to know what happened next. I am left to make up my own endings to each characters. Needed more resolutions.

[Tinatswe Mhaka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was nothing like I expected but somehow something I really needed. The storytelling and raw emotion of it all is exceptional. If someone tells me none of this ever happened I will have to pass out. Terrific !!! Everyone needs to read this book!!!

[Naomi Eaglehorn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding story and outstanding narration. I was in a trance.

[Allie de Avellar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had me in tears! Such a powerful story!

[Kristian Hudson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is nothing short of AMAZING!!! I loved it!

[Terri Dent · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A touching story of a fathers love and his past

[Maggie Smith Maiden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I yarn for closure and this was perfectly written . I bet it spoke for an entire generation.

[Chris Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was informative, enjoyable, inspiring and enlightening. I loved it so much that I read it as well as listened to my the audible

[Destiny · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book. I felt like I was there with the characters

[Larry Arrington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing writer! Joys and pains of family life creatively explored.

[Nadia Greuel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There’s nothing better than the author narrating their own story.

[Sankara · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

OMG! An inevitable experience. Poor Elliott will stay with me

[Juanita Hudson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this Novel ?
I am unable to express it in words, this book…. Has my heart so entangled with emotions, my vocals in a tight chokehold! This is definitely a reread I will be doing with the physical copy in hand !?
Don’t Cry for me ! Lessons has been taught in this Novel!

[UnderGround Radio · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just beautiful ♥️! A great read wish it could have revealed how the son felt about the letter! Would be a great movie ?! On a black man’s love and how they look at it and growth from knowledge

[Maria Carroll · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cried so many tears to this book.. I also got a life lesson. I wasn't raised in a very first page and I myself haven't been feeling good lately and this book was everything I needed right now in my life.

[kathy kim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a touching heartfelt story about a father and his son.

[Darnell Rancifer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

He captured black families so well especially from rural Arkansas. I throughly enjoyed the book even though it was tough and uncomfortable and even painful to listen, but I stuck it out because the message was so poignant! Time waits for no man!

[Jessica Adolfo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a well written and powerful book. I def recommend it

[veronica rivers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book. I wish I knew how the son felt after reading his dad’s letters

[Lungile Ntsele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A terminally ill father writes a letter to his
estranged, gay son explaining their history
& his mistakes in fathering
Poignant at times yet a bit didactic.

[Angela White · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What an emotional rollercoaster!!! I’m glad I read this book and would definitely recommend it. I love Daniel Black’s writing style and his way with words. Overall I enjoyed this book.

[ashlee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding! Just wow!!! The southern cultural references and words used impressed me beyond words! Great Job, Daniel Black!!!

[Barbara Lenoir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very deep,black men had a stand of life and that is what they live by. This generation is different. Love and except your family regardless if you except there life style. You can’t change a person but you can give them unconditional love. Everyone deserves to be loved regardless of their choices. Fathers and mothers love your children.

[Donna Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the most powerful books that I have ever listened to. I cried for all of the mistakes that we as a people have made and for our lack of emotional vocabulary to say to others how we truly feel. It is so tragic that Jacob couldn't say all that he wrote, but it is good that he was able to write it. I could see so many of the people I grew up with in this book, and thank the author for closure.

[Maya · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[Gail · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow I wish this book was really nonfiction!!! I have not read anything like this reminds me of Octavia Butler! Narrator was awesome!

[Sterling · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Daniel Black writes the most vivid stories! My only disappointment was that it ended and I wanted so much more.

[Somila Dondashe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Masterpiece. A must read for black men and recommended for black women

[mizzmo38 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The way it was written truthfully. You could feel the love.