Don’t Cry for Me: A Novel

Jacob Swinton is dying. Alone during his final months, this book is a collection of letters to his son Isaac, whom he has not seen or heard from in years. Jacob reflects upon his life and his role as a father to Isaac. He explains his actions, which often seemed harsh and at times, violent. The letters prove that he tried his best, yet his upbringing created biases that were reflected in his parenting and didn’t allow him to accept his homosexual son’s identity.

This is a book that will make you feel things from start to finish. It is heartfelt, raw, and brutally honest. The letters are all from the perspective of Jacob, and though I wondered what his son might say in response, this format worked so well. By remaining one-sided, it reinforces the idea that forgiveness is not guaranteed, and sometimes it is too late to fix the past. Throughout the book, I felt anger, grief, sadness, understanding, and joy. This book is so special, though it can also be melancholy. The casual writing style makes this a fast read, yet impactful all the same.