BookBrowse Reviews The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl by Bart Yates

BookBrowse:

The joys and sorrows of one man's life glimpsed as personal moments embedded in history.

Bart Yates, who has also written under the name Noah Bly, is the author of several previous novels, including Leave Myself Behind, winner of a 2004 Alex Award. First Impressions readers adored The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl, giving the book an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

What the book is about:

Isaac Dahl has indeed had a long life with enough strange—or at least unusual—episodes to justify the book's title, and at 96, the former journalist decides to write a memoir. He tells his story in a series of single days set years apart, days when he experiences both natural disasters—an avalanche, a tornado, an earthquake—and man-made disasters—the Dust Bowl, WWII at sea, nuclear tests in the Pacific, Civil Rights violence in Mississippi, AIDS…personal moments with his beloved twin sister and their best friend…and the often painful drama of a gay man making his way through the twentieth century (Judith G).

Readers praised the story's structure…

Showing a man's life in twelve chapters was inspired. Maybe being 92 years old myself helped me to relate, but I think the book would be great for anyone of any age (Portia A). I was a little skeptical that a book about a man's life that skips ahead every eight years would tell a coherent story, much less an enjoyable one. I was very wrong…Each chapter presented new characters who added depth to Isaac's story (Elizabeth V).

…and enjoyed how the author delivered encapsulated perspectives on historical events.

I don't think we realize how many historical events we witness or perhaps participate in until we look back (Mary Z). The author did a great job incorporating real and interesting events in history throughout, along with developing the characters and their relationships. I found myself invested in both Isaac and his story as well as the historical events and settings from the 1920s to the 2010s (Allison R).

The novel also led many reviewers to reflect on their own lives.

It made me review my life and try to pick out the most pivotal points I would have included in a book like this (Jane B). As a reader in the twilight years (70) of my life, I found this book very poignant. I have often looked at my life reflecting on the passage of time as I have moved through history and experienced personal growth (Jolene B). It is almost guaranteed that readers will be reflecting on their own life's "moments" while reading. That was my experience and it made me wish I could coax more days' adventures from my dad who will be 100 in November! (Connie K).

Overall, readers found Yates' book captivating and the characters relatable and memorable.

The characters are so well-developed that I feel as if I know them personally, and I am genuinely mourning the end of the book, as I will miss them greatly (Karna B). The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl is one of a kind and a book that I believe will be talked about for many years…Isaac lived a life that was full of poignancy that will resonate with anyone who reads it. He is, to me, the common man who experiences both the joy and pain of living. And in that experience allows us to realize what we have lived, still have to live, and how it will affect us and our loved ones (Diane T).

This review first ran in the July 31, 2024 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.