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He Never Came Home: Interviews, Stories, and Essays from Daughters on Life Without Their Fathers
He Never Came Home is a collection of 22 personal essays written by girls and women who have been separated from their fathers by way of divorce, abandonment, or death. The contributors to this collection come from a wide range of different backgrounds in terms of race, socioeconomic status, religion, and geographic location. Their essays offer deep insights into the emotions related to losing one's father, including sadness, indifference, anger, acceptance--and everything in between.
This book, edited by Essence magazine's West Coast editor Regina R. Robertson, is first and foremost an offering to young girls and women who have endured the loss of their fathers. But it also speaks to mothers who are raising girls without a father present, offering important perspective into their daughter's feelings and struggles.
The essays in He Never Came Home are organized into three "Divorce," "Distant," and "Deceased." With essays by contributors such as Emmy Award-winning actress Regina King, fitness expert and New York Times best-selling author Gabby Reece, and television comedy writer Jenny Lee, this anthology illustrates the journey of the fatherless, and provides a space for these writers to express their pain, hope, and healing--minus any judgments and without apology.
This book, edited by Essence magazine's West Coast editor Regina R. Robertson, is first and foremost an offering to young girls and women who have endured the loss of their fathers. But it also speaks to mothers who are raising girls without a father present, offering important perspective into their daughter's feelings and struggles.
The essays in He Never Came Home are organized into three "Divorce," "Distant," and "Deceased." With essays by contributors such as Emmy Award-winning actress Regina King, fitness expert and New York Times best-selling author Gabby Reece, and television comedy writer Jenny Lee, this anthology illustrates the journey of the fatherless, and provides a space for these writers to express their pain, hope, and healing--minus any judgments and without apology.
- GenresNonfictionEssays
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2017
33 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Regina R. Robertson
1 book10 followersRegina R. Robertson is an award-winning author, scriptwriter, journalist and dreamer.
As west coast editor of Essence magazine, Robertson writes cover and feature stories, represents the brand as host and moderator for special events and penned the once-weekly column, View from the West. In 2017, she edited her first book, He Never Came Home: Interviews, Stories, and Essays from Daughters on Life Without Their Fathers (Agate Bolden), which includes a foreword by Joy-Ann Reid.
Robertson’s written work has appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine, on TheRoot.com and the Associated Press newswire. She’s also been quoted in The Los Angeles Times and appeared as a featured guest on CNN International, MSNBC, SiriusXM Radio, The Talk, The Real, Access Live, NPR and KTLA-TV. With her sights set on expanding her reach, she has added live events to her resume. To date, her words have been spoken by Rihanna, Lester Holt and Billy Porter, as well as Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Trevor Noah and Viola Davis, to name a few. Additionally, she collaborated with Roc Nation for the 2nd Annual Diamond Ball and has written scripts for the iHeartRadio Music Awards, BET Her Fights: Breast Cancer and Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, the latter which has aired on OWN. She’s also written for the 2020 TIME100, which aired on ABC, and Global Citizen’s Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, which was broadcast internationally, as well as on both MSNBC and NBC.
A New York native and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Robertson is currently outlining her next book project and still pulls the occasional all-nighter to meet her deadlines. She is based in Los Angeles.
As west coast editor of Essence magazine, Robertson writes cover and feature stories, represents the brand as host and moderator for special events and penned the once-weekly column, View from the West. In 2017, she edited her first book, He Never Came Home: Interviews, Stories, and Essays from Daughters on Life Without Their Fathers (Agate Bolden), which includes a foreword by Joy-Ann Reid.
Robertson’s written work has appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine, on TheRoot.com and the Associated Press newswire. She’s also been quoted in The Los Angeles Times and appeared as a featured guest on CNN International, MSNBC, SiriusXM Radio, The Talk, The Real, Access Live, NPR and KTLA-TV. With her sights set on expanding her reach, she has added live events to her resume. To date, her words have been spoken by Rihanna, Lester Holt and Billy Porter, as well as Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Trevor Noah and Viola Davis, to name a few. Additionally, she collaborated with Roc Nation for the 2nd Annual Diamond Ball and has written scripts for the iHeartRadio Music Awards, BET Her Fights: Breast Cancer and Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards, the latter which has aired on OWN. She’s also written for the 2020 TIME100, which aired on ABC, and Global Citizen’s Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, which was broadcast internationally, as well as on both MSNBC and NBC.
A New York native and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Robertson is currently outlining her next book project and still pulls the occasional all-nighter to meet her deadlines. She is based in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 3, 2017
Excellent book and a nonfiction that everybody should read. Click her to read the interview with the author Regina R. Robertson. https://browngirlreading.com/2017/08/...
July 1, 2018
Finally got back to this collection of Essays and finished the last 5. Excellent curation of essays from amazing women sharing their most intimate thoughts and experiences (or lack thereof) relative to their fathers. The collection is broken up in three parts: Distant, Divorced, and Deceased - the three Ds. Everyone woman reading this collection will have something to take away. Definitely recommend!
June 6, 2022
Where do i even start? Wheeww! This book was amazing!! 5⭐️!! Ive never read a book that had me so emotionally invested. I cried reading this book because the stories in the book hit so close to home. The author really did her thing when writing this book. Why isnt this book hyped up more? This is one of the best books ive ever read. I am almost 30 and dont have my father in my life and this book let me know that im not alone. There are so many women that are without fathers. After reading this book, i know that not having a father isnt the end of the world and to channel all that negative energy into something more positive and that it does not define me.
April 26, 2022
I won this book as a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Although this book is extremely sad, it's also uplifting in a strange way. Reading it made me feel less alone, and I saw myself in the myriad ways that women utilize to cope with the loss of their father. This book is divided into three sections: Distance, Divorce, and Deceased. Every essay was a unique story but there were many common themes throughout - poverty, abandonment, lack of support, loss of a male role model.
Some of the essays are standouts, others are a bit repetitive, but overall, this was a very well done essay collection.
Although this book is extremely sad, it's also uplifting in a strange way. Reading it made me feel less alone, and I saw myself in the myriad ways that women utilize to cope with the loss of their father. This book is divided into three sections: Distance, Divorce, and Deceased. Every essay was a unique story but there were many common themes throughout - poverty, abandonment, lack of support, loss of a male role model.
Some of the essays are standouts, others are a bit repetitive, but overall, this was a very well done essay collection.
September 10, 2017
A must read for any woman who grew up without their dad in the home. This book has interviews and short pieces by women without dad's due to death, divorce, jail, no dad on birth certificate. I lost my dad when I was 11. I have often wondered how my life would have been different had he lived longer.
April 15, 2020
My mother-in-law gave me this book for my birthday and it was a thoughtful gift. It has made me think back about the first time she asked me about my father, not long after we’d first met now over 25 years ago. It wasn’t a loaded question but it sure had a loaded answer. I don’t remember exactly how I worded it but ultimately I had to explain that I had a stepdad but no relationship with my biological father. I probably could have left it there, but in the interest of full disclosure to someone I suspected might be a permanent presence in my life, I added a few details about my father having been in prison for most of my life. I hadn’t really thought much about what kind of impression that might make but I’m sure over these last 27 years with her son and eventually her grandson she has noticed all sorts of ways the situation has left an impression on me.
This collection of essays covers pretty much every emotion I have experienced throughout my life regarding the absence of my father and subsequently my stepfather. Including sadness, confusion, insecurity, anger, grief and resignation - it really does cover them all. But it also offers a glimpse of strength and resilience that seems to almost always be present in those who experience the loss of their father. And I am thankful that my mother-in-law has been able to see all of those things in me.
P.S. I also loved the opportunity to provide a little soap opera in the journals of my husband’s late grandmother. She was always interested in learning my story and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to share more of it with her before she died.
This collection of essays covers pretty much every emotion I have experienced throughout my life regarding the absence of my father and subsequently my stepfather. Including sadness, confusion, insecurity, anger, grief and resignation - it really does cover them all. But it also offers a glimpse of strength and resilience that seems to almost always be present in those who experience the loss of their father. And I am thankful that my mother-in-law has been able to see all of those things in me.
P.S. I also loved the opportunity to provide a little soap opera in the journals of my husband’s late grandmother. She was always interested in learning my story and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to share more of it with her before she died.
February 16, 2020
This was a really heartfelt book. I myself grew up without my father. It amazes me how some girls/women can go on with their lives and not have any remorse about not having their fathers in their lives. This just shows the strength of women. Not having a father is not in my eyes is not always a bad thing for some. If they are not going to be present, willing to take a hand in raising the child as they should then not having them around is most likely better for all those involved. Now when it comes to death that can be hard to deal with. It's like not having a chance to get to know each other. Deep down I think everyone wants to have a relationship with both parents and they should.
November 22, 2023
Thank You
I’m thankful for the many contributors who openly shared their relationships with their Father’s and the impact it had on their lives. I could relate to many of the feelings shared and appreciated the various perspectives. These stories also inspired and encouraged me. Reading these experiences was like participating in a conversation I’ve needed to have my entire life. I’m thankful I still have an opportunity to make some changes in my attitude, my outlook and my life.
I’m thankful for the many contributors who openly shared their relationships with their Father’s and the impact it had on their lives. I could relate to many of the feelings shared and appreciated the various perspectives. These stories also inspired and encouraged me. Reading these experiences was like participating in a conversation I’ve needed to have my entire life. I’m thankful I still have an opportunity to make some changes in my attitude, my outlook and my life.
January 13, 2018
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway program. This book was very touching and several of the essays made me cry. I lost my father to a car accident 8 years ago when I was 25. It's been tough, and I was able to grow up with my father day in and day out. I can't imagine not knowing him at all or bring abandoned by him.
January 15, 2018
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway program. This book was very touching and several of the essays made me cry. I lost my father to a car accident 8 years ago when I was 25. It's been tough, and I was able to grow up with my father day in and day out. I can't imagine not knowing him at all or bring abandoned by him.
September 12, 2024
This one is great if you are religious, or struggling with the absence of your father due to addiction. I felt most of the stories centered around both of those things, and neither are relatable for me. I had a hard time finishing this one.
December 26, 2017
I won a free copy from Good Reads.
January 12, 2018
Essay Anthology: good book that explores the relationships between fathers and daughters specifically life without the father for one reason or another
May 15, 2019
3.5 stars. Some of the essays are very well written, but for some others I really have trouble to connect with their stories.
December 17, 2024
For anyone who has lost their dad in one way or another.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews