Blurb:

The beloved author of Don’t Cry for Me and Perfect Peace returns with a poignant, emotionally exuberant novel about a young queer Black man finding his voice in 1980s Chicago—a novel of family, forgiveness and perseverance, for fans of The Great Believers and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

Isaac is at a crossroads in his young life. Growing up in Missouri, the son of a caustic, hard-driving father, he was conditioned to suppress his artistic pursuits and physical desires, notions that didn’t align with a traditional view of masculinity. But now, in late ’80s Chicago, Isaac has finally carved out a life of his own. He is sensitive and tenderhearted and has built up the courage to seek out a community. Yet just as he begins to embrace who he is, two social catalysts—the AIDS crisis and Rodney King’s attack—collectively extinguish his hard-earned joy.

At a therapist’s encouragement, Isaac begins to write down his story. In the process, he taps into a creative energy that will send him on a journey back to his family, his ancestral home in Arkansas and the inherited trauma of the nation’s dark past. But a surprise discovery will either unlock the truths he’s seeking or threaten to derail the life he’s fought so hard to claim.

Poignant, sweeping and luminously told, Isaac’s Song is a return to the beloved characters of Don’t Cry for Me and a high-water mark in the career of an award-winning author. 

Review:

This is the first book that I have read by Daniel Black and I am upset that I have been missing out on his talent. Now that I have read this one I do plan on reading Don’t Cry for Me very soon. I did not realize that there was a connection but it now explains the posts saying that you didn’t have to read it first but it would help.

The story opens with Issac receiving the news of his father’s passing. If you’ve never lost a parent there really isn’t a way to describe what feelings you go through especially depending on your relationship with them. I feel that Mr. Black paints this scene so well. This opening scene gives the reader a sense of the type of writing they will experience while reading this book.

When Issac goes to his therapy sessions, I felt as if I was getting something out of them. Especially in the first session when they are talking about forgiveness and apologies.

When Issac begins his assigned task of writing his story he begins a journey in which many people never go on when it comes to remembering their parents and their childhood.

Isaac’s story teaches us that we have to remember that our parents weren’t always just parents but that they are people too. The flaws we think that they have or the flaws that they do have but we block out. Sometimes the way we remember our parents or our childhoods is a form of protecting ourselves or the images that we have painted of our parents and ourselves. Realizing these things also makes us have to take a look within which Isaac has to do and he doesn’t always like what he sees.

Not only does this story talk about relationships with parents it also addresses the question of self identity and also self love. Because of Isaac’s lack of self love, he has endured a life where he has not always been happy or allowed himself to be happy and he has tolerated things that he may not have if he were in a better place with himself.

When Isaac begins writing his novel, you can feel his inner shift. I will be honest, I was getting anxious toward the end of the book because I was becoming so engrossed in Isaac’s fiction story that he was writing. Maybe we will see the fruits of his labor in a later book by Mr. Black.

As I stated at the beginning of this review, I cannot wait to read another book by Daniel Black. His lyrical style of writing and his storytelling ability has made me an instant fan.

Rating:

4 Golden Girls

Availability:

Available now in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook.