Isaac's Song

A Novel

De: Daniel Black

Narrado por: JD Jackson

*From the Viral Clark Atlanta University Commencement Speaker*

*From the Georgia Author of the Year Award Winner*

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.

©2025 Daniel Black (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Isaac’s Song

Excellent! One of my favorites. I will definitely recommend this story. Can’t wait to hear more from Dr. Black!

a beautiful celebration of love

i could not stop listening. I can barely think what to say without spoiling the narrative. every black man should own this book

Father and Son Dynamic

The author’s words made you feel the intricate relationship between a father and son. They both wanted the same thing but couldn’t express it because their differences kept them from seeing what they learned from each other until it was too late to say “I appreciate and love you for who you are!” This was a GREAT read!

I love the way spirit and emotional elements collided and got free.

So much about this book frees the reader on so many levels. The journey that Isaac took to free himself.And to understand why helps the reader do the same.

Inspired

Great story writing. Don't Cry For Me was my first read from Dr Black. I couldn't wait for this companion piece. It was well worth the wait. Very inspiring.

Loved it!!

I’m so glad we got to hear Issac’s side of the story. This book was very well written, Issac experienced a lot of what ppl are going through in this work today. I highly recommend this series .

Me and my Dad

This novel reminds me so much of my story with my dad. I still haven’t cried after his passing March 2015. I want to think it is because we were ok, but were we. I think any gay black man who reads this book will be able to relate. Great audible reading!

Great story

I enjoyed the story. Its not exactly what I expected from a follow up of Don't Cry For Me but it worked. This is one of the authors I will continue to auto-buy from.

Daniel Black just knows how to tell a powerful story!

I pre-ordered this book and I’m glad I did. Daniel Black just has this incredible ability to tell a powerful, rich, complex story. This one in particular touched so many parts of human experience!!! Loved the beautiful nod and reverence to the Ancestral Realm

This is all of our story!

Phenomenal work! Dr. Black is always on point. I read the books in sequence and enjoyed them both. But I can understand why Dr. Black says that they can be read in reverse order.