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Isaac's Song
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.
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.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2025
258 people are currently reading
20682 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Black
12 books1,375 followersDaniel Black is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, yet spent the majority of his childhood years in Blackwell, Arkansas. He is an associate professor at his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, where he now aims to provide an example to young Americans of the importance of self-knowledge and communal commitment. He is the author of "They Tell Me of a Home" and "The Sacred Place".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,147 reviews
March 20, 2025
A devastatingly heartbreaking book with the most beautifully complex characters. 🙌🏾
I don’t even have the words to fully express how deeply immersed I was in Isaac’s story. My heart ached so many times, knowing that this is the real-life experience of so many queer Black individuals growing up in the late 20th century. No story can ever truly do justice to real-life experiences, but I hope that anyone who sees themselves in Isaac’s journey can read this and feel something—some kind of recognition, knowing that a story close to their own is being told.
This book is told in such a unique way, with Isaac unpacking his past through sessions with his incredible, badass therapist. In my psychology classes, we always learn that memory is unreliable—basically trash—and while this book isn’t meant to be a psychology lesson, that idea kept coming to mind as Isaac started realizing that his experiences weren’t exactly how he had always perceived them. Watching him break down every event, every conversation, every moment was fascinating. It revealed not just how complex his life has been but, more importantly, how deeply complex his relationships have been.
His relationship with his parents is a huge part of this book—if not the very heart of it. While the story ultimately follows his journey to accepting that no one else can heal your wounds for you, his dynamic with his parents was something else. I hated them and I loved them!! It’s possible to acknowledge that what people did was wrong while also understanding why they did those things. Every time I read about his parents’ actions, I felt like I understood where they were coming from—maybe because it made me reflect on my own experiences with my parents. I don’t agree with most of their views, but recognizing that they grew up in a different culture and time has always given me the peace to love them anyway. Maybe that deep personal connection is what made this such an easy five-star read for me.
I also loved how seamlessly historical elements were woven into the story, amplifying Isaac’s experiences by grounding them in the realities of the time he lived in. The accounts from his parents about their own pasts were just as powerful, showing how their experiences shaped them into the people they became.
Isaac’s creativity was another standout element of the book. Everything he created—mostly stories—felt like a direct reflection of his emotions, which added such a beautiful and personal touch. His struggles with religion were also incredibly compelling to read, especially given how quick religious institutions are to condemn people like him. There were also moments that leaned toward the paranormal—not necessarily because the book itself is paranormal, but more in a conceptual way. I didn’t mind it, though I don’t think it added much to the story for me.
I’m so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to see what Black writes nextt!
I don’t even have the words to fully express how deeply immersed I was in Isaac’s story. My heart ached so many times, knowing that this is the real-life experience of so many queer Black individuals growing up in the late 20th century. No story can ever truly do justice to real-life experiences, but I hope that anyone who sees themselves in Isaac’s journey can read this and feel something—some kind of recognition, knowing that a story close to their own is being told.
This book is told in such a unique way, with Isaac unpacking his past through sessions with his incredible, badass therapist. In my psychology classes, we always learn that memory is unreliable—basically trash—and while this book isn’t meant to be a psychology lesson, that idea kept coming to mind as Isaac started realizing that his experiences weren’t exactly how he had always perceived them. Watching him break down every event, every conversation, every moment was fascinating. It revealed not just how complex his life has been but, more importantly, how deeply complex his relationships have been.
His relationship with his parents is a huge part of this book—if not the very heart of it. While the story ultimately follows his journey to accepting that no one else can heal your wounds for you, his dynamic with his parents was something else. I hated them and I loved them!! It’s possible to acknowledge that what people did was wrong while also understanding why they did those things. Every time I read about his parents’ actions, I felt like I understood where they were coming from—maybe because it made me reflect on my own experiences with my parents. I don’t agree with most of their views, but recognizing that they grew up in a different culture and time has always given me the peace to love them anyway. Maybe that deep personal connection is what made this such an easy five-star read for me.
I also loved how seamlessly historical elements were woven into the story, amplifying Isaac’s experiences by grounding them in the realities of the time he lived in. The accounts from his parents about their own pasts were just as powerful, showing how their experiences shaped them into the people they became.
Isaac’s creativity was another standout element of the book. Everything he created—mostly stories—felt like a direct reflection of his emotions, which added such a beautiful and personal touch. His struggles with religion were also incredibly compelling to read, especially given how quick religious institutions are to condemn people like him. There were also moments that leaned toward the paranormal—not necessarily because the book itself is paranormal, but more in a conceptual way. I didn’t mind it, though I don’t think it added much to the story for me.
I’m so glad I read this book, and I cannot wait to see what Black writes nextt!
January 3, 2025
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
I want Isaac’s therapist! I highlighted so many of her observations! Isaac’s Song is a beautifully written story, that almost reads like a biography.
The first pages took my breath away. The story starts when Isaac’s father dies and Isaac cries to his surprise. Weeks later, he visits a therapist because he loses weight and hardly sleeps. Isaac’s meetings with his therapist are the bones of this book and with her he goes back to his childhood and how he perceived his parents, his Blackness, and his sexuality.
”Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.”
This story digs deep. It’s about love and what we feel and what we think happened. Isaac’s relationship with his dad was always difficult. But while he rethinks what happened, he finds out he might have judged his father too harshly. And might put his mother on a pedestal she didn’t always deserve.
”Some of the truths you discover, Isaac, are going to conflict with what you feel in your heart. Still, don’t back away from them. This is what you’re looking for. It comes to make us reconsider what we think we know.”
I flew through the pages and through Isaac’s life. His childhood, his time at university, when he started working and still didn’t feel comfortable as a Black gay man.
”You become an agent of your own existence the minute you stop blaming others for what they did to you. Those who hurt us cannot heal us. That’s our job.”
When I read his father’s letter, tears leaped into my eyes. The love that shone through those sentences. The fact that his father tried, even though he called his son a sissy and girly. I really need to read Daniel Black’s Don’t Cry for Me. I think it will make me bawl my eyes out.
Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this beautiful ARC!
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I want Isaac’s therapist! I highlighted so many of her observations! Isaac’s Song is a beautifully written story, that almost reads like a biography.
The first pages took my breath away. The story starts when Isaac’s father dies and Isaac cries to his surprise. Weeks later, he visits a therapist because he loses weight and hardly sleeps. Isaac’s meetings with his therapist are the bones of this book and with her he goes back to his childhood and how he perceived his parents, his Blackness, and his sexuality.
”Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.”
This story digs deep. It’s about love and what we feel and what we think happened. Isaac’s relationship with his dad was always difficult. But while he rethinks what happened, he finds out he might have judged his father too harshly. And might put his mother on a pedestal she didn’t always deserve.
”Some of the truths you discover, Isaac, are going to conflict with what you feel in your heart. Still, don’t back away from them. This is what you’re looking for. It comes to make us reconsider what we think we know.”
I flew through the pages and through Isaac’s life. His childhood, his time at university, when he started working and still didn’t feel comfortable as a Black gay man.
”You become an agent of your own existence the minute you stop blaming others for what they did to you. Those who hurt us cannot heal us. That’s our job.”
When I read his father’s letter, tears leaped into my eyes. The love that shone through those sentences. The fact that his father tried, even though he called his son a sissy and girly. I really need to read Daniel Black’s Don’t Cry for Me. I think it will make me bawl my eyes out.
Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this beautiful ARC!
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June 13, 2025
un très beau conte familial qui met en lumière le poids de la culture et du trauma générationnel dans les dynamiques parents-enfant surtout via le scope de l’identité sexuelle. J’ai adoré et la fin était majestueuse et très émouvante. J’ai chialé/10
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December 30, 2024Why I Love It
By Gabrielle Viner
If you read Don’t Cry for Me, you know that Daniel Black’s writing is visceral, vulnerable, and deeply touching. His expertise shines once again in Isaac’s Song. I was captivated by this novel from prose to plot, and I felt embedded in the story as I grieved, laughed, and cried alongside its characters.
After his father passes away, Isaac goes to therapy and writes down his life story to unpack his complicated relationship with his dad. He begins with his earliest memory and takes us through the difficulties and triumphs of growing up as a gay Black boy in Missouri. Isaac grapples with sexuality, race, and ancestry on his own terms when he moves to Chicago. As he embraces the healing nature of creative expression, Isaac reframes his understanding of his family and of himself.
As we ring in the new year, many of us will take time to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. I have always turned to books, especially coming-of-age novels, for inspiration, comfort, and guidance in my own self-discovery. That is why I highly recommend Isaac’s Song for a contemplative, raw, and moving start to your 2025.
By Gabrielle Viner
If you read Don’t Cry for Me, you know that Daniel Black’s writing is visceral, vulnerable, and deeply touching. His expertise shines once again in Isaac’s Song. I was captivated by this novel from prose to plot, and I felt embedded in the story as I grieved, laughed, and cried alongside its characters.
After his father passes away, Isaac goes to therapy and writes down his life story to unpack his complicated relationship with his dad. He begins with his earliest memory and takes us through the difficulties and triumphs of growing up as a gay Black boy in Missouri. Isaac grapples with sexuality, race, and ancestry on his own terms when he moves to Chicago. As he embraces the healing nature of creative expression, Isaac reframes his understanding of his family and of himself.
As we ring in the new year, many of us will take time to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. I have always turned to books, especially coming-of-age novels, for inspiration, comfort, and guidance in my own self-discovery. That is why I highly recommend Isaac’s Song for a contemplative, raw, and moving start to your 2025.
April 16, 2025
As usual, Daniel Black's book is deeply moving and inspiring. It's sad, poignant, informative, and healing. I wonder if he knows how to write any other way.
There's very little action in the book. It's mostly a conversation Isaac has with himself. He is writing in a journal as an act of homework from his therapist. He's lived a life full of self-hatred as a reflection of the hatred stuffed down his body from the rest of the world, particularly his parents. He learns that it was less hatred and more a fear-born love on their parts. He learns who he is by examining his relationships with his parents. He reframes the hurts and their weaknesses into their receipt of the intergenerational trauma from the previous generation. He receives it from them and carries it his whole life up until the point we meet him in the book, and he pours it out into healing pages.
All the while, he navigates both homophobia and racism. He battles his homosexual identity because his race is on his skin. That's not something he can hide, but his gayness is. He lives closeted and in denial for a big chunk of his life in an effort to love and obey and honor his parents, as a way to protect and preserve himself in society, and in search of the validation he yearns for from his father. When he's finally ready to step into his full identity and live in real and present authenticity, it's a big scary step.
Isaac is brave in so many ways both inwardly and outwardly. His courage is most evident in how he confronts the ghosts his parents' deaths have left behind and examines their past. And the way he transforms all the angst, all the misunderstandings, all the fears and self-beliefs he thought were real is another powerful and beautiful story in itself.
By the time the last word is read, I felt whole too.
There's very little action in the book. It's mostly a conversation Isaac has with himself. He is writing in a journal as an act of homework from his therapist. He's lived a life full of self-hatred as a reflection of the hatred stuffed down his body from the rest of the world, particularly his parents. He learns that it was less hatred and more a fear-born love on their parts. He learns who he is by examining his relationships with his parents. He reframes the hurts and their weaknesses into their receipt of the intergenerational trauma from the previous generation. He receives it from them and carries it his whole life up until the point we meet him in the book, and he pours it out into healing pages.
All the while, he navigates both homophobia and racism. He battles his homosexual identity because his race is on his skin. That's not something he can hide, but his gayness is. He lives closeted and in denial for a big chunk of his life in an effort to love and obey and honor his parents, as a way to protect and preserve himself in society, and in search of the validation he yearns for from his father. When he's finally ready to step into his full identity and live in real and present authenticity, it's a big scary step.
Isaac is brave in so many ways both inwardly and outwardly. His courage is most evident in how he confronts the ghosts his parents' deaths have left behind and examines their past. And the way he transforms all the angst, all the misunderstandings, all the fears and self-beliefs he thought were real is another powerful and beautiful story in itself.
By the time the last word is read, I felt whole too.
December 29, 2024
Isaac’s Song reads like a memoir, but is fiction. We follow along as a gay Black man delves into his youth at the prompting of his therapist, not long after his semi-estranged father has died. Along the way, he confronts his identity and his fraught relationship with his father.
Isaac’s therapist has a lot of good thoughts. One that stuck with me is this one: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” As a Jewish person, I’m familiar with the tradition of personally apologizing to people you have hurt, specifically every year before Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). I agree that it’s definitely for the apologizer.
Isaac grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, in a world where people still referred to young men with effeminate aspects as “sissies.” His mother was his defender but his father tried very hard to mold Isaac into what he thought a man should be: made him play baseball, when Isaac hated it, and so forth. Eventually, though, his father saw Isaac’s creative gifts and appreciated them. (There’s a lovely recollection about a painting Isaac did, of his father’s home area in Arkansas.) But it was a hard road for the two of them to travel.
Apparently, this is a companion book (not a sequel) to Don’t Cry For Me, which was written from the POV of the father, Jacob. (I haven’t read it and wasn’t aware of it before reading/listening to Isaac’s Song). This could be a very interesting read, either before or after reading Isaac’s Song.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. (The print book will be published by Hanover Square Press.) JD Jackson did a great job with the narration. All opinions are my own.
Isaac’s therapist has a lot of good thoughts. One that stuck with me is this one: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” As a Jewish person, I’m familiar with the tradition of personally apologizing to people you have hurt, specifically every year before Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). I agree that it’s definitely for the apologizer.
Isaac grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, in a world where people still referred to young men with effeminate aspects as “sissies.” His mother was his defender but his father tried very hard to mold Isaac into what he thought a man should be: made him play baseball, when Isaac hated it, and so forth. Eventually, though, his father saw Isaac’s creative gifts and appreciated them. (There’s a lovely recollection about a painting Isaac did, of his father’s home area in Arkansas.) But it was a hard road for the two of them to travel.
Apparently, this is a companion book (not a sequel) to Don’t Cry For Me, which was written from the POV of the father, Jacob. (I haven’t read it and wasn’t aware of it before reading/listening to Isaac’s Song). This could be a very interesting read, either before or after reading Isaac’s Song.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. (The print book will be published by Hanover Square Press.) JD Jackson did a great job with the narration. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2025
A very good historical fiction story about one man's coming to grips with his father's trauma and the trauma his father inflicted on him, and how the son used those experiences and his own gifts to help make people, including himself, free.
March 7, 2025
masterful.
"Part of me wished we could’ve gotten Isaac’s perspective when he finds and reads the letter, but even without that, the novel feels seamless and complete. But, Dr. Black, if you want to give us an epilogue from Isaac’s POV, I would definitely appreciate it." – Me, February 2022.
Enter Isaac's Song!!! My prayers were answered. Isaac's Song is the follow-up (or companion novel) to Don’t Cry For Me (and despite the title, I definitely cried). The story revolves around Jacob, the main character, who is sharing his secrets, grief, and regrets with his son as he faces his impending death. Just a couple generations removed from slavery, Jacob grew up with clear ideas about what a man, a woman, and especially a son should be. Jacob is a flawed character, but above all, he wants Isaac to understand that he tried his best.
Reading Isaac's story was everything I had hoped for. Dr. Black continues to tackle themes of racism (in all its forms) and homophobia, and while I can’t say this book is "better" than Don’t Cry For Me—they’re just so different—I found a lot of overlap between my life and Isaac’s, particularly in the world of academia, where sometimes it feels like a game of picking your moments to engage in order to ultimately get the degree.
I also need Isaac’s therapist. Every time she was on the page, I was highlighting everything because she was dropping so many gems. This book was healing—literally and metaphorically. It felt like the embodiment of ending generational curses, and I’m so thankful we got this story.
"Part of me wished we could’ve gotten Isaac’s perspective when he finds and reads the letter, but even without that, the novel feels seamless and complete. But, Dr. Black, if you want to give us an epilogue from Isaac’s POV, I would definitely appreciate it." – Me, February 2022.
Enter Isaac's Song!!! My prayers were answered. Isaac's Song is the follow-up (or companion novel) to Don’t Cry For Me (and despite the title, I definitely cried). The story revolves around Jacob, the main character, who is sharing his secrets, grief, and regrets with his son as he faces his impending death. Just a couple generations removed from slavery, Jacob grew up with clear ideas about what a man, a woman, and especially a son should be. Jacob is a flawed character, but above all, he wants Isaac to understand that he tried his best.
Reading Isaac's story was everything I had hoped for. Dr. Black continues to tackle themes of racism (in all its forms) and homophobia, and while I can’t say this book is "better" than Don’t Cry For Me—they’re just so different—I found a lot of overlap between my life and Isaac’s, particularly in the world of academia, where sometimes it feels like a game of picking your moments to engage in order to ultimately get the degree.
I also need Isaac’s therapist. Every time she was on the page, I was highlighting everything because she was dropping so many gems. This book was healing—literally and metaphorically. It felt like the embodiment of ending generational curses, and I’m so thankful we got this story.
February 20, 2025
Another deeply reflective piece for readers to sit with and learn from.
I’ll preface this by saying I completely understand why some readers might not love this as much as Don’t Cry For Me because the story feels familiar. But the love is still there as here we’re given even more insight and angles to approach it from. It’s a sequel that’s so intentional while done in such an artful, poetic, and touching way. The layering and connectedness of it all—that’s the sweet spot of this read. It makes me hopeful to finally hear from Isaac’s mother next.
As someone with older parents, some of the lessons and conversations in this book hit close to home. Once again, Daniel Black has delivered a work that’s stunningly self-aware in its exploration of change, generational trauma, unpacking, and readdressing the realities of our past selves and childhood through a lens of forgiveness and honesty.
I personally found the storytelling masterful. Black’s decision to revisit elements of Isaac’s history through therapy adds so much depth to this book. We witness how Isaac’s memories and connections are challenged as he unveils so much of himself to his therapist. And just like Isaac, we as readers are drawn into this process, reassessing who Isaac’s father was to him. This is done so beautifully that you don’t just feel for Isaac—you feel alongside him.
I loved the depth of Isaac’s pain and growth. He’s a character that, like many, seeks acceptance and acknowledgment from his parents while also fighting to give it to himself. We see his struggle to become the truest version of himself that he’s been told he could never be. This truly brought the ending home for me, with its sense of relief—Isaac finally lets go of the weight of his father’s approval.
The therapist’s commentary throughout the book is another highlight. Time and again, a mirror is held up to Isaac, showing how his inability to love himself affects his ability to love others. The narrative emphasizes the importance of forgiving oneself as a means to forgive others—particularly one’s parents—and to see them as whole, flawed individuals outside of one’s expectations.
There’s so much in this book that doesn’t just appeal but deeply resonates. Whether it’s the journey of self-discovery, grappling with sexual identity and acceptance, or the continued lessons of forgiveness and generational healing, Black captures emotions with stunning clarity. Readers can feel pain, compassion, disappointment, hope, and so much more!
I particularly appreciated that the forgiveness in this book doesn’t absolve Jacob of how he treated Isaac. Instead, it’s a grace and insight that fosters connection and growth—even posthumously. By the end, we see a bridge built and the recognition that Isaac is, in many ways, his father’s son.
Now I’m really hoping we don’t just hear from Isaac’s mother, but also get a book set during the time of his parents’ youth.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin for this e-galley!
I’ll preface this by saying I completely understand why some readers might not love this as much as Don’t Cry For Me because the story feels familiar. But the love is still there as here we’re given even more insight and angles to approach it from. It’s a sequel that’s so intentional while done in such an artful, poetic, and touching way. The layering and connectedness of it all—that’s the sweet spot of this read. It makes me hopeful to finally hear from Isaac’s mother next.
As someone with older parents, some of the lessons and conversations in this book hit close to home. Once again, Daniel Black has delivered a work that’s stunningly self-aware in its exploration of change, generational trauma, unpacking, and readdressing the realities of our past selves and childhood through a lens of forgiveness and honesty.
I personally found the storytelling masterful. Black’s decision to revisit elements of Isaac’s history through therapy adds so much depth to this book. We witness how Isaac’s memories and connections are challenged as he unveils so much of himself to his therapist. And just like Isaac, we as readers are drawn into this process, reassessing who Isaac’s father was to him. This is done so beautifully that you don’t just feel for Isaac—you feel alongside him.
I loved the depth of Isaac’s pain and growth. He’s a character that, like many, seeks acceptance and acknowledgment from his parents while also fighting to give it to himself. We see his struggle to become the truest version of himself that he’s been told he could never be. This truly brought the ending home for me, with its sense of relief—Isaac finally lets go of the weight of his father’s approval.
The therapist’s commentary throughout the book is another highlight. Time and again, a mirror is held up to Isaac, showing how his inability to love himself affects his ability to love others. The narrative emphasizes the importance of forgiving oneself as a means to forgive others—particularly one’s parents—and to see them as whole, flawed individuals outside of one’s expectations.
There’s so much in this book that doesn’t just appeal but deeply resonates. Whether it’s the journey of self-discovery, grappling with sexual identity and acceptance, or the continued lessons of forgiveness and generational healing, Black captures emotions with stunning clarity. Readers can feel pain, compassion, disappointment, hope, and so much more!
I particularly appreciated that the forgiveness in this book doesn’t absolve Jacob of how he treated Isaac. Instead, it’s a grace and insight that fosters connection and growth—even posthumously. By the end, we see a bridge built and the recognition that Isaac is, in many ways, his father’s son.
Now I’m really hoping we don’t just hear from Isaac’s mother, but also get a book set during the time of his parents’ youth.
Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin for this e-galley!
January 24, 2025
Isaac's Song is a follow-up to 2022's Don't Cry for Me. It's not a follow-up in the sense that it begins after the earlier title. It actually tells the story told in Don't Cry for Me (and a bit more) from a different character's point of view. Don't Cry for Me examines a father's too-late coming to terms with his son's homosexuality. Isaac's Song begins with the death of this father, then moves back and forth in time, and gives voice to Isaac's (the son) experiences of life with his father. These two stubborn men don't learn how to respect one another until after the chance of an improved relationship has passed—but their stories still have happy endings of an incomplete sort simply because each has come to a better understanding of the other.
Either title can be read without the other, but they make a good pair. I'd suggest reading Don't Cry for Me first. Beginning with Isaac's Song would work, but would spoil some of the powerful reveals in Don't Cry for Me.
If you can think of someone in your life with whom you have values disagreements, but still feel obliged/motivated to stay in contact with (and who among us doesn't?) these titles offer a way into reflection, even if your situation is quite different from the one the two books are built around. Witnessing these two men's coming to terms with themselves—and with the idea of one another, if not a real-life reconciliation—allows for a great deal of valuable personal reflection. You don't have to be the queer child or the homophobic parent to benefit from this reading.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
Either title can be read without the other, but they make a good pair. I'd suggest reading Don't Cry for Me first. Beginning with Isaac's Song would work, but would spoil some of the powerful reveals in Don't Cry for Me.
If you can think of someone in your life with whom you have values disagreements, but still feel obliged/motivated to stay in contact with (and who among us doesn't?) these titles offer a way into reflection, even if your situation is quite different from the one the two books are built around. Witnessing these two men's coming to terms with themselves—and with the idea of one another, if not a real-life reconciliation—allows for a great deal of valuable personal reflection. You don't have to be the queer child or the homophobic parent to benefit from this reading.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
June 17, 2024
A beautiful and heartbreaking novel about the complicated relationships that often exist between a gay son and his father. As a foil to Daniel Black’s previous novel Don’t Cry for Me, we follow Isaac, a gay man, as he confronts his complicated relationship with his now deceased father. In therapy, Isaac relives memories from childhood through adulthood, reflecting on how he never felt free to be himself as a gay person. He grapples with his father’s expectations and homophobia, trying to understand his father and his life experiences, but struggling to come to terms with his own culpability in their relationship and the idea that his father was his own person and had his own history and story. There’s commentary on racism, internalized homophobia, religious trauma, generational trauma, parental expectations, and gay culture. The conversations were nuanced but plainly written and understood. I found this so moving and beautiful. 10/10
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2024
This book was absolutely incredible. Reading from the perspective of Isaac, the son of Jacob from Don't Cry for Me, was an amazing follow up. Seeing the parallels of the father and son's complicated relationship made me so emotional. Isaac faced a lot of hardship of trying to figure out what he wants out of life and who he wants to be. He spent a lot of his life trying to please others instead of really accepting himself for who he is. He’s mad at his father and resents him, but with a lot of self-reflection after the passing of his father his perspective changes and allows him to realize how much his father tried in his life. This story is the journey of self-reflection, healing, acceptance, and forgiveness. Daniel Black told a beautiful story through Isaac. This is one of my favorite reads of the year.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this e-Arc.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this e-Arc.
July 9, 2025
This!!
A perfect follow up to Don’t Cry For Me. This story was its own, but I loved how certain parts of this story overlapped with Jacob’s story and allowed the reader to see the scenes playing out from both POVs.
We all have our opinions and prejudices in one way or another and this story opened my mind about a lot. A story that makes you think and really get inside of another person’s mind if only for just a few pages.
The therapist in this?? Whew chile, go get some of this free therapy ok? If you haven’t already, please go pick this “duology” up asap. You won’t regret it.
A perfect follow up to Don’t Cry For Me. This story was its own, but I loved how certain parts of this story overlapped with Jacob’s story and allowed the reader to see the scenes playing out from both POVs.
We all have our opinions and prejudices in one way or another and this story opened my mind about a lot. A story that makes you think and really get inside of another person’s mind if only for just a few pages.
The therapist in this?? Whew chile, go get some of this free therapy ok? If you haven’t already, please go pick this “duology” up asap. You won’t regret it.
March 6, 2025
BRB with a real review. Currently stunned by how amazing this book was
February 26, 2025
Didn't realize this was a companion to Don't Cry for Me at first.The moment I realized felt like getting hit by a truck.
This was devastating and beautiful and hopeful and profound. I'll read anything Daniel Black writes.
This was devastating and beautiful and hopeful and profound. I'll read anything Daniel Black writes.
July 30, 2024
Deep
The first time that I read Don’t Cry for Me in 2022, I was desperate to get Isaac’s side of the story. I was overjoyed when I found out about this book. Isaac was such a lovable character for me in both books. This time we get to hear how his father’s failures and successes shaped him. We also learn how his mother left her mark on his world. This was a touching coming of age story that felt like it spoke for so many men. I loved that both Isaac and his father were able to reflect and celebrate the love that they had for each other.
While I really enjoyed this book, it didn’t give me the story that I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear Isaac’s response to his father’s letters. I wanted it to be a direct reply. Instead, I got to hear how Isaac perceived the events that were presented in the previous book. There was no back and forth dialogue. In Isaac’s retelling of his experience as a writer, a few of his stories were woven into this book. They were interesting, but I felt like Black wanted to share more of his own work. He just passed it off as Isaac’s work. The final piece that he presented was a slave story that Isaac was working on. I don’t read slave books. I understood what he was trying to do with that element, but it’s not what I wanted to read.
I feel like this book gave me closure. It tied up the loose ends from Don’t Cry for Me. I think fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this story. Thank you to NetGalley, Hanover Square Press, and Daniel Black for the advanced copy for me to review.
The first time that I read Don’t Cry for Me in 2022, I was desperate to get Isaac’s side of the story. I was overjoyed when I found out about this book. Isaac was such a lovable character for me in both books. This time we get to hear how his father’s failures and successes shaped him. We also learn how his mother left her mark on his world. This was a touching coming of age story that felt like it spoke for so many men. I loved that both Isaac and his father were able to reflect and celebrate the love that they had for each other.
While I really enjoyed this book, it didn’t give me the story that I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear Isaac’s response to his father’s letters. I wanted it to be a direct reply. Instead, I got to hear how Isaac perceived the events that were presented in the previous book. There was no back and forth dialogue. In Isaac’s retelling of his experience as a writer, a few of his stories were woven into this book. They were interesting, but I felt like Black wanted to share more of his own work. He just passed it off as Isaac’s work. The final piece that he presented was a slave story that Isaac was working on. I don’t read slave books. I understood what he was trying to do with that element, but it’s not what I wanted to read.
I feel like this book gave me closure. It tied up the loose ends from Don’t Cry for Me. I think fans of historical fiction will really enjoy this story. Thank you to NetGalley, Hanover Square Press, and Daniel Black for the advanced copy for me to review.
September 24, 2025
In Isaac’s Song we get immersed into his world as he trudges through his memories with the help of his therapist. Struggling to deal with his feelings after his father’s passing, takes him by surprise. He’s really grieving and can’t understand why. Him and his father weren’t really close. His father was so mean to him. His therapist encourages him to write down his story and write not from his memories since they can’t really and truly be trusted; but to write from how he felt in those moments. As he starts writing, the blurry images and foggy memories start to become clearer. On his quest to break free from this pain wedged into his soul, he uncovers the many layers of hardships and discovers the sacrifices his father went through for him. He’s plunged into the dark times and his feelings whenever he was around his father. Growing up in the late 80s in Chicago as a young black man trying to identify himself. Everything reveals itself in the end.
This was such a good book! Reading this after Don’t Cry For Me allowed me to see the other persons’ “side of the story” so to speak. It’s definitely different though. However, I loved seeing how much Isaac learned about his father; yes from his memories, but also from his feelings and how that painted a different picture. He saw him in a different light. Remembering his nurturing mother and how his father did exactly what HE was taught to do. Isaac had to open his mind’s eye to many things. This allowed him to see the world for what it was and how much more work needed to be done.
The story ultimately follows him through his life through school, work, friendships, and certain relationships all while he navigates his past he had with his parents. We get to eventually witness his response to his father’s letters; which sets him off on another journey. Loved this for him! I also really loved how in the end his creativity came to fruition with what ultimately helped him forgive.
I need to know what happens with Matthew and Jesse Lee though.
In the end, I felt like I devoured Don’t Cry For Me and with Isaac’s Song I just enjoyed reading. However, I didn’t get the same emotions. The emotions were there but they were just different. Isaac’s Song felt a little all over the place (valid with how he himself was feeling throughout the book) but after sitting and thinking about this book I will say that it’s a solid 4 for me. A definite need to have it on my shelf for sure.
Daniel black is an automatic buy for me.
This was such a good book! Reading this after Don’t Cry For Me allowed me to see the other persons’ “side of the story” so to speak. It’s definitely different though. However, I loved seeing how much Isaac learned about his father; yes from his memories, but also from his feelings and how that painted a different picture. He saw him in a different light. Remembering his nurturing mother and how his father did exactly what HE was taught to do. Isaac had to open his mind’s eye to many things. This allowed him to see the world for what it was and how much more work needed to be done.
The story ultimately follows him through his life through school, work, friendships, and certain relationships all while he navigates his past he had with his parents. We get to eventually witness his response to his father’s letters; which sets him off on another journey. Loved this for him! I also really loved how in the end his creativity came to fruition with what ultimately helped him forgive.
I need to know what happens with Matthew and Jesse Lee though.
In the end, I felt like I devoured Don’t Cry For Me and with Isaac’s Song I just enjoyed reading. However, I didn’t get the same emotions. The emotions were there but they were just different. Isaac’s Song felt a little all over the place (valid with how he himself was feeling throughout the book) but after sitting and thinking about this book I will say that it’s a solid 4 for me. A definite need to have it on my shelf for sure.
Daniel black is an automatic buy for me.
June 27, 2025
4.5⭐️- This was a beautifully written coming of age story. I loved the use of therapy sessions and journal entries, it added a layer of depth to the story. I found Isaac’s journey very relatable, especially in how he navigated complex emotions and family relationships. The writing was stunning, and the way stories were woven within the main story was genius!
January 10, 2025
BOOK REVIEW 📖
Thank you #partners @htp_hive @hanoversquarepress & @harlequin_audio for my #gifted copies of what was one of my most anticipated books of the year! I'm so grateful! 💕
Isaac's Song
Daniel Black
Available January 14th
"Generations of wounded, black hearts are waiting for my boldness. This is why I was born. This is why I was sitting there in the dark. Because our American story began in the dark, in the bottom of slave ships."
"...I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers won't sing. But I will."
I LOVED THIS!!!
Is it too early in the year to say I have a 2025 favorite?
Isaac's Song is a captivating, soul-stirring exploration of the complicated relationship between a gay Black son and his domineering father. It's a story of love and legacy, of understanding and acceptance, and ultimately, healing. It's a gorgeous follow-up to Dr. Black's 2022 release, Don't Cry for Me. While Isaac's Song is not a sequel, it is a companion novel that can be read before or after its predecessor.
I read this one in alltheways™️, alternating between print, ebook, and audiobook. I enjoyed each format immensely. The audiobook is narrated by the talented JD Jackson, who breathes so much life into Isaac and his story. A wonderful performance from Mr. Jackson, as always.
📌 A January @bookofthemonth pick!
📌 Available 1/14
Thank you #partners @htp_hive @hanoversquarepress & @harlequin_audio for my #gifted copies of what was one of my most anticipated books of the year! I'm so grateful! 💕
Isaac's Song
Daniel Black
Available January 14th
"Generations of wounded, black hearts are waiting for my boldness. This is why I was born. This is why I was sitting there in the dark. Because our American story began in the dark, in the bottom of slave ships."
"...I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers won't sing. But I will."
I LOVED THIS!!!
Is it too early in the year to say I have a 2025 favorite?
Isaac's Song is a captivating, soul-stirring exploration of the complicated relationship between a gay Black son and his domineering father. It's a story of love and legacy, of understanding and acceptance, and ultimately, healing. It's a gorgeous follow-up to Dr. Black's 2022 release, Don't Cry for Me. While Isaac's Song is not a sequel, it is a companion novel that can be read before or after its predecessor.
I read this one in alltheways™️, alternating between print, ebook, and audiobook. I enjoyed each format immensely. The audiobook is narrated by the talented JD Jackson, who breathes so much life into Isaac and his story. A wonderful performance from Mr. Jackson, as always.
📌 A January @bookofthemonth pick!
📌 Available 1/14
February 1, 2025
Issac’s Song is Dr. Daniel Black’s follow up to Don't Cry For Me in which a father writes letters to his estranged son while on his deathbed (check out my review a few posts down). Isaac’s Song follows Isaac grappling with his father’s death. It’s hit him hard and he’s not sure why because they had such a tumultuous relationship. His therapist suggests he starts writing everyday. Isaac starts at the beginning with his earliest memories and he begins to see that looking back, his memory is different. He sees how hard his dad fought to give him the life he thought his son deserved. He begins to see his father as a human with real flaws and real trauma and so much love for his son. This book is full of stories within stories. Through his grief, Isaac tells his life story in ways he never thought of previously. He goes through a difficult process of not only trying to understand his father, but finding his true self, his relationship with God, acceptance of his sexuality and identity, and learning from his ancestors. There’s so much to be said about this beautiful book. Any review I could write would not do it justice. So I will just say, please read this book! It’s absolutely five stars from me and made me bawl like a baby. Jacob and Isaac both will live on in my heart for a long long time.
February 28, 2025
My favourite thing about this book was how during Isaac’s trip down memory lane, he was able to reanalyse his memories and look at them more objectively. He would realise that some of the things he felt weren’t quite accurate, that the past wasn’t so black and white (no pun intended) and that people aren’t just good or bad, as a child, you can associate them as such but human beings are far more complex than that.
I love how his view of his father changed, I loved his therapist because she didn’t just tell him what he wanted to hear. She pushed him to step outside of his comfort zone and face the things he had been avoiding for so long.
His own story at the end was really interesting too, I was genuinely so hooked and wanted to find out how it would end but it became a littlee confusing at that point and I slightly lost track of what was going on.
I love how his view of his father changed, I loved his therapist because she didn’t just tell him what he wanted to hear. She pushed him to step outside of his comfort zone and face the things he had been avoiding for so long.
His own story at the end was really interesting too, I was genuinely so hooked and wanted to find out how it would end but it became a littlee confusing at that point and I slightly lost track of what was going on.
February 14, 2025
I almost DNF'd at this line "her breasts, like soldiers prepared for battle, stood at attention." This is used to describe the therapist the main character is seeing. It is honestly incredibly disappointing to see works like this describing the few female characters that actually have lines throughout this book. AND the main character is a queer man. I also feel like the therapy sessions are written like the author has no experience with therapy. The life story of Issac is very well written and easy to read. But those two things really stopped me from enjoying the book and lowered my respect for it drastically.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
A lyrical, moving and beautiful coming of age story about a young gay Black man growing up in America in the 80s. This was extremely well-written and amazingly narrated on audio by JD Jackson. I almost skipped this book and I'm so glad I didn't!! The book explores race, identity, intergenerational trauma and microagressions in the workplace in nuanced and at times heartbreaking ways. It's also a story within a story and has a number of sessions with the protagonist's therapist interspersed throughout. HIGHLY recommended especially for fans of authors like Colson Whitehead.
January 15, 2025
Daniel Black is ALWAYS a five star read. Intense, profound and beautiful. But my heart needs to know what happened to Matthew and Jesse Lee. Preparation for the next book? Only Mr. Black knows. Thank you for another story I couldn't put down.
January 13, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When I read Don’t Cry For Me back in 2023, I was amazed by the story, its flow, and hoped that we would eventually hear Isaac’s respond. I soon learned that Isaac’s Song was coming and could not wait to delve into this story.
Like its predecessor, Isaac’s Song reads like a memoir, beginning shortly after Jacob’s death. Ultimately, I had a lot of expectations about what I would experience in this story, some were met and others were surprises. I was sadly surprised by how lonely Isaac was throughout his life - even in his adult years. I’d hoped that he would grow into a life of freedom after he struggled so much in his youth.
There were moments when I felt disconnected from this story because some parts felt contrived and not meaningful to the overall story. The second storyline felt a little weird to me and although it contributed to the overall story, it felt somewhat out of place.
However, I loved the ending which fulfilled every hope I’d held for Isaac’s response when I read Don’t Cry For Me.
My true rating is: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
TW: tragic death, AIDS epidemic, homophobia, racism, descriptions of slavery
When I read Don’t Cry For Me back in 2023, I was amazed by the story, its flow, and hoped that we would eventually hear Isaac’s respond. I soon learned that Isaac’s Song was coming and could not wait to delve into this story.
Like its predecessor, Isaac’s Song reads like a memoir, beginning shortly after Jacob’s death. Ultimately, I had a lot of expectations about what I would experience in this story, some were met and others were surprises. I was sadly surprised by how lonely Isaac was throughout his life - even in his adult years. I’d hoped that he would grow into a life of freedom after he struggled so much in his youth.
There were moments when I felt disconnected from this story because some parts felt contrived and not meaningful to the overall story. The second storyline felt a little weird to me and although it contributed to the overall story, it felt somewhat out of place.
However, I loved the ending which fulfilled every hope I’d held for Isaac’s response when I read Don’t Cry For Me.
My true rating is: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
TW: tragic death, AIDS epidemic, homophobia, racism, descriptions of slavery
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
Happy PuB Day Dr. Daniel 🎉
I lovveeee Dr. Daniel Black down !! I had the pleasure of meeting him with my book club ( IG BWRT.BOOKCLUB) !!
Isaac’s Song was highly anticipated after reading Don’t Cry for Me !! We all wanted to know Isaac’s thoughts after reading his father’s letters. This man pen game so legit it’s crazy.
I felt really sad for Issac because he was so lonely even in his adult life. This book gave me everything I wanted in closure from the Don’t Cry for Me!! I would definitely recommend this one if you’ve read it.
I need Isaac’s Therapist asap. I was highlighting sooooo much. She ATE DOWN.
TW: Racism, HIV/AIDS Epidemic, slavery, homophobia
Thank you so much to The Hive and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. 🥲
I lovveeee Dr. Daniel Black down !! I had the pleasure of meeting him with my book club ( IG BWRT.BOOKCLUB) !!
Isaac’s Song was highly anticipated after reading Don’t Cry for Me !! We all wanted to know Isaac’s thoughts after reading his father’s letters. This man pen game so legit it’s crazy.
I felt really sad for Issac because he was so lonely even in his adult life. This book gave me everything I wanted in closure from the Don’t Cry for Me!! I would definitely recommend this one if you’ve read it.
I need Isaac’s Therapist asap. I was highlighting sooooo much. She ATE DOWN.
TW: Racism, HIV/AIDS Epidemic, slavery, homophobia
Thank you so much to The Hive and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. 🥲
January 20, 2025
Isaac's Song has a unique and compelling structure, a great sense of place and often lyrical prose. I ended up listening to the audio and moved through it very quickly. To me, the core story is really about Isaac's relationship with his father more than anything and that part of the story is very moving with some unexpected twists. It also told some important history through Isaac's experience, education and exposure to elders and peers. Toward the end of the book, there was a shift to a bit of a spiritual perspective that didn't work as well for me. And while I was interested in the story within the story that also comes up later in the book, I feel like these two components really threw off the pacing for me, which is why I’m rounding down to four stars. But I'm definitely curious to check out more of the author's book.
Also, sensitive readers should seek out content warnings. There is a lot of heavy stuff covered.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
Also, sensitive readers should seek out content warnings. There is a lot of heavy stuff covered.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2025
3.5 rounding up
This is one of those books that feels like it tugs at your heart strings. The story follows Isaac, a gay Black man, as he works through his past with his therapist after his father’s death. The way it’s told—in these short vignettes from his therapy “homework”—makes it feel so intimate, like reading someone’s diary. His childhood in the 1970s and 1980s was so vividly painted, from his mother fiercely defending him to his father trying to mold him into this version of masculinity that Isaac didn’t fit.
Isaac’s therapist might be my favorite character. She’s warm, wise, and everything you’d want in a therapist. One thing she said stuck with me: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” It made me think about how we approach apologies—it’s so much for the person apologizing. I also need to mention the audiobook because JD Jackson’s narration was incredible. His voice became Isaac’s for me. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and completely stunning.
This is one of those books that feels like it tugs at your heart strings. The story follows Isaac, a gay Black man, as he works through his past with his therapist after his father’s death. The way it’s told—in these short vignettes from his therapy “homework”—makes it feel so intimate, like reading someone’s diary. His childhood in the 1970s and 1980s was so vividly painted, from his mother fiercely defending him to his father trying to mold him into this version of masculinity that Isaac didn’t fit.
Isaac’s therapist might be my favorite character. She’s warm, wise, and everything you’d want in a therapist. One thing she said stuck with me: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” It made me think about how we approach apologies—it’s so much for the person apologizing. I also need to mention the audiobook because JD Jackson’s narration was incredible. His voice became Isaac’s for me. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and completely stunning.
January 24, 2025
This was a deeply emotional read coming of age book. I found Isaac's journey of healing so heartfelt. I loved this one. Isaac deals with hardships being a queer black man in 1980s, and his feelings towards his own father and coming to terms with his true self. I thought it was interesting how the author told the story as Isaac is talking to his therapist, and then Isaac in real life!
I haven't read the previous book DON'T CRY FOR ME yet, but after I read and enjoyed this one, I'd definitely want to get to that one too.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
I haven't read the previous book DON'T CRY FOR ME yet, but after I read and enjoyed this one, I'd definitely want to get to that one too.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
February 20, 2025
You must read this as a companion to Don’t Cry For Me. I read Don’t Cry For Me First and this book was more meaningful because I read it first. The Therapist is wiser than words can say and the growth of Issac through this process of dealing with his father’s death, who never accepted his son’s sexuality. Lastly, I pray there is another book because I need to know what happens with Matthew and Jesse Lee.
Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for a copy of the audiobook. This review is voluntary.
Thank you Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for a copy of the audiobook. This review is voluntary.
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