Do Not Go Gentle: My Search for Miracles in a Cynical Time

by Ann Hood

A “breathtaking” memoir of a daughter’s quest to find a miracle for her dying father, by the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most (Publishers Weekly).   When her beloved father was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, Ann Hood—the author A Journey Through Grief—refused to give up. If conventional medicine could no longer help, then she would go to any length to find something that could—even if it took a miracle.   In this heartfelt and heartbreaking narrative, Ann’s quest to save her father’s life becomes a reawakening of her self. Through trial and desperation she recollects the story of her family’s own past and their quest to find a better life in America, and renews her connection to her Italian Catholic heritage, all of which reminds her of where she came from and who she truly her father’s daughter.   With a sensitive yet strong voice, Ann Hood’s “spiritual quest to make sense of her father’s fatal illness is rendered with exceptional grace” in a story that “affectingly explores the link between faith and family ties” (Entertainment Weekly).   “[Ann Hood] creates an entire world of belief and tradition that sustains her. . . . The miracle that truly nurtures her is her art.” —The Providence Journal   “This memoir is every bit as breathtaking as the poem after which it is named.” —Publishers Weekly  

Genres: Memoir

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Ann Hood is the editor of Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting and the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Knitting Circle, The Red Thread, Comfort, and An Italian Wife, among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award, and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Ann Hood became determined to find a miracle cure when her father was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. She was the product of generations of Italian-American Catholics, and was determined to find some miracle to cure her father with whom she has a very special bond. She traveled to Chimayo, N.Mexico, where the Tewa Indians believe that the mud is curative and a chapel commemorates the healing miracles that have allegedly occurred there. She brought back the special mud for her father. Her father was willing to try anything, as he was not ready to accept his death sentence.

SPOILERS
This poignant memoir of grief is also a love story: "My father," Hood writes, "was the love of my life." She loved the way he whistled, the way he smiled, even the way he carried boxes of doughnuts. Unlike many young adults who give up their youthful adoration of Dear Old Dad, Hood only grew to cherish her father more as a grown-up, and as she watched him die.

I thought this book was very well done. I especially enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of various places where miracles were to have occurred. Having a family member who is very ill, I thought this was just the type of book, I might need right now. I was disappointed in the fact that the miracle Ann Hood so desperately wanted to find for her father, did not help to extend his life.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while to read because some parts were personally difficult for me to get through. But understanding loss, the need for family traditions, and wanting to connect to your family's history made this a very relatable read for me.

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was greatly disappointed. I thought I would read about Hood's overcoming adversity and/or strengthening her faith through trial. Instead I heard her understanding of how we are called to respond and I strongly disagree. I don't actually regret reading this but certainly wouldn't read it again or recommend it to anyone. I find it truly disheartening and not at all what God would have of us.

[Sherrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Soooooo slow. As a memoir, I'm sure it had meaning to her and her family but overall it is very uninteresting. Details of family relationships, dinners, and trips. Not engaging; it is just a litany of first this, then that, on and on.

[Liza Maggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down. I wished for a brother, for such a close relationship with my dad. I want to go to Chimayo.

Not everyone can afford to travel as Ann Hood did. The book dragged a tiny bit ay the end. I wondered about the visit to Audrey Santo.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd be lying if I didn't admit to trudging through this one. There were moments where the prose was gorgeous, as Ann Hood's prose can be. But this needed a lot more editing to be powerful. It read too much like an internal monologue that wasn't coherent or interesting enough to keep me engaged.

[Jane Tennyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a poorly written story but this woman is one of the most spoiled, self absorbed people I have ever read. Her search for lost faith is at the expense of her own family who get dragged around the world looking for what?

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book moved rather slowly and hence the three star rating.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Marge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed since, even though well written, I was expecting a stronger connection between faith, prayer and miracles. Her struggle to find out more about her family in Italy was perhaps my favorite portion of the book.

[Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent treatment of family life, and how important our parents and siblings truly are...

[Ambar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, nice. Father dying of cancer...Picked it out from my non-fiction class book list. I should not become someone to review books.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

As she discovered her Catholic roots after the death of her father, she continually battled her lack of faith. Asking time and again, why bad things happen.

[Jennifer Paloulian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad yet uplifting. Great book.