The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace : A Review

I have been reading a whole heck of a lot lately and this is a book I've had my eye on for quite some time. My husband treated me to the paperback copy a while ago but it's taken me longer than usual to get through. That's in no way because the book is poorly written...but clearly from the title this is a sad and tragic book that does not have a happy ending. I never did purchase it myself because it's one of those books I have to gear myself up to read. I knew I would love it, but I had to be in just the right frame of mind to read it...is anyone else like that? Since I knew the basic premise of the story it wasn't exactly surprising but it was incredibly poignant and there is just something about reading a book that tells the story of a real life that I just can't get over. It's definitely one of my favorite kind of novels to read.

This book is the story of Robert Peace, written by his college roommate Jeff Hobbs. Robert comes from an incredibly impoverished neighborhood and through his mother's hard work and perseverance ends up going to Yale and receives a degree in Molecular Biochemistry. Essentially, the man is a genius who can't seem to escape the need to be more and in turn, it leads to a tragic end. It's unfortunate to read about a person so bright and giving that just can't seem to see past his own insecurities, his own need to prove himself. The ending is not surprising but you still have a tiny bit of hope for some justice or some sense of closure at the end of it all. I warn you now, you'll get neither.

I liken my feelings of reading this book to when I watched Fruitvale Station (another amazing, but heart-rending story). I literally cried for days after. Days. I do recommend this book for those who are not as sensitive as I am...or even for those who are and can spare a good week of tears.

What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments below! XO