Raising Fences
A Black Man's Love Story
Published on 6. February 2019
262 pages
978-1-68230-118-0 (ISBN)
Description
This
New York Times-bestselling memoir about an African American man's struggles and triumphs is "heartrending and beautiful" (Junot Diaz Pulitzer Prize-winning author of
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao).
A Today Show Book Club selection, Raising Fences tells the story of a man whose youth was spent committing petty crimes, experimenting with sex, and developing a mortal fear of police. Like many young black men, Michael Datcher's childhood was marked by the gaping hole left by an absent father. Out of that absence grew the desire to fulfill a dream that seemed almost a fantasy: to leave the streets behind, build a family, and become what he had wanted so badly-a good father.
Moving past his self-destructive habits and taking responsibility for his mistakes wasn't easy. Datcher's journey nearly brought him to his breaking point-where he faced the threat of becoming what he feared most.
"Datcher's voice is clear, bold, daring, and welcome." -Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
"Honest, brisk and ultimately very moving... A beautiful story of real-life redemption." - Kirkus Reviews
"Combines attitude, honesty and romance... A stunning tribute to perseverance, courage and the power of positive thinking." - Publishers Weekly
"Brutally honest, hauntingly poetic... Heartbreaking." - Essence
"Riveting." - USA Today
"Poignant... Complex." - The Seattle Times
"An inspiration to all who dare to dream of a better life." - The Star-Ledger
A Today Show Book Club selection, Raising Fences tells the story of a man whose youth was spent committing petty crimes, experimenting with sex, and developing a mortal fear of police. Like many young black men, Michael Datcher's childhood was marked by the gaping hole left by an absent father. Out of that absence grew the desire to fulfill a dream that seemed almost a fantasy: to leave the streets behind, build a family, and become what he had wanted so badly-a good father.
Moving past his self-destructive habits and taking responsibility for his mistakes wasn't easy. Datcher's journey nearly brought him to his breaking point-where he faced the threat of becoming what he feared most.
"Datcher's voice is clear, bold, daring, and welcome." -Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
"Honest, brisk and ultimately very moving... A beautiful story of real-life redemption." - Kirkus Reviews
"Combines attitude, honesty and romance... A stunning tribute to perseverance, courage and the power of positive thinking." - Publishers Weekly
"Brutally honest, hauntingly poetic... Heartbreaking." - Essence
"Riveting." - USA Today
"Poignant... Complex." - The Seattle Times
"An inspiration to all who dare to dream of a better life." - The Star-Ledger
More details
Person
Michael Datcher, a journalist and spoken-word poet, has written for Vibe, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Buzz. A former Pacific News Service correspondent, Datcher has contributed essays to a number of anthologies.
Content
- Intro
- Raising Fences
- Copyright
- Dedication
- 1. in the beginning
- 2. the spinners
- 3. camille
- 4. becoming adopted
- 5. forget me not
- 6. visiting mariam
- 7. the campaign
- 8. welcome to california
- 9. beneath zebras
- 10. tongue knot
- 11. daddy
- 12. sex, lies, and videotape
- 13. nicole
- 14. berkeley
- 15. she loves me not
- 16. disciple
- 17. blood
- 18. lakers break
- 19. shall set you free
- 20. world stage
- 21. the bomb
- 22. the dating game
- 23. negotiations
- 24. a decent proposal
- 25. vows
- 26. happily ever after
- 27. work
- 28. the spinners
- 29. tao of fences
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