Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Let Love Have the Last Word

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2019

How could this gentleman possibly find love elusive? Common brings conscious verses, righteousness, earthly wisdom, and honesty.

Women complain about men guarding their emotions as if they have none. Here, Common does quite the opposite. He generously shares his heart, most profound thoughts, and revelations of love addiction, fear of commitment, feelings of abandonment, and intense trauma. Here for all to see, barring fear of scrutiny, he dares mull over, dissect, analyze, reflect, and dig for whatever truths he can find that can serve to explain to him—what love means, what love requires, what love does. What is love’s authentic reward? Love's action.

As an actor, he can portray the king, the handsome prince, or warrior who'll save the day. He is as captivating in this tome as he is on the big screen. Let Love Have the Last Word: A Memoir is beautifully-written, somber introspection, offering sobering hope.

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A FRANK, INSIGHTFUL AND WIDE-RANGING MEMOIR—AND MORE…

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019

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Rapper, actor, and author Common wrote in the first chapter of this 2019 book, “I’ve been rapping for more than twenty-five years now. I would rap for free. I would rap if I lived on the streets… That I’ve … received .. money for rapping speaks to perseverance, I suppose, or market forces. Rapping is my release, my art, my way of expression. It’s a desire that comes from my spirit…” (Pg. 7-9)

He explains, “My name is Rashid, and I do not necessarily know more about love than you do… Why do I love? … there is something human in the desire to love and to be loved; those things are treated as separate desires, wants, but maybe they are the same coin. It is love, on both sides… that adds dimensions to the emotion. It reflects from all angles the various temperatures and viewpoints of love, and no matter how one might feel in the moment, and this I can relate to personally, there is no one true story.” (Pg. 11)

He speaks about rapping, about acting, and much about his personal life; he is frank about his downsides (e.g., “For me, becoming a husband, one half of a long-term and committed intimate relationship, remains unfinished, though I’ve gotten close a few times. WE did,” pg. 12; “I was not a bad father, but I could be a better father to [my daughter Omoye]; no matter how much I loved my daughter through the years, the fact remains that I was often absent, and she has a right to feel a way about this,” pg. 38).

He is also open about his spirituality: “I have my experiences, and you have yours; there are small, human truths within the universal truth, the one truth. This I call God, the Most High, and from here I try to move through the world with Him and His universal truth in mind, as practiced by Christ and the prophets.” (Pg. 13) “I feel a connection to Islam, and other religions as well, even though I identify as a Christian.” (Pg. 88) “God is in me, and love develops the God in me. It’s why I revisit the New Testament; I’m often inspired by the life of Jesus… His heart was open to every man, and in every man he saw the capacity for forgiveness.” (Pg. 130) “With prayer, and by reading the Bible, the Koran, other religious texts and new books, and with meditation, I establish a daily and consistent practice for myself.” (Pg. 131)

After discussing his role in the film, ‘The Hate U Give,’ he suggests, “We as people who are standing up for young Black people who are being shot by the police rarely think about what the police officer is dealing with on a daily basis; we rarely take time to hear from him… the character of Carlos was a chance for me as a human being to listen more to what police officers are dealing with, specifically Black police officers. I thought it was important to hear the side of a Black police officer… If we continue to be on opposite sides, there will be more young people losing their lives.” (Pg. 48) But later, he adds, “I’ve been inspired to do more [socially active work] in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson…” (Pg. 135)

He acknowledges about intimate partnerships, “That I don’t have it now only means that the past situations were not right for either of us…” (Pg. 70) He explains, “Susan [his therapist] has helped me to get to the root of my issues. One thing we’ve unpacked … is something she calls ‘intimacy avoidance.’ … I DO avoid intimacy at times… this originates and still lingers from my childhood… being raised by a single mother… especially after my father left.” (Pg. 118)

He recounts a youthful incident of being molested by a young male several years older than him, and summarizes, “I don’t FEEL like a victim, but maybe that’ll change as I continue to … open up fully to the trauma… I want to be a person who helps break cycles of violence and trauma. I forgive him. This is love in action, and I intend to practice it.” (Pg. 186-187)

But this book is mostly about love: “to serve God and to serve other people, families, and communities, you have to care for yourself; you have to love yourself.” (Pg. 14) “What is love? What does it mean to me? If nothing else, it means to let love have the last word in any situation, no matter the person… it is a statement of purpose, and it is a daily promise.” (Pg. 33)

This book will be “must reading” not just for those interested in Common, but for those interested in a heartfelt and revealing memoir by a very intelligent and (relatively) young man, who is deeply involved in the world.

33 people found this helpful

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Diamond Girl

This is more of a conversation than a book

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2019

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I was excited to get the book. I have Common's previous book albeit I never finished it totally it was ok. Now this book years have passed, we mature, we grow from upsets pains missed opportunities he has come a much farther way than where he was or what not I get it...but this book right here I am trying to find the words for it. As much of a fan that I am of Common this book was all over the place. I felt as if I was sitting listening to a friend pour out his guts (we know these conversations IF you are a good listener you just listen even if it doesn't make sense you just let them get it out as a good friend) and THAT GOOD FRIEND I WAS! Listening to my friend talk … and talk... and talk. If we were in person I would have interjected with comments like "come again"..."what you mean"... "you did what"..."nah don't say that" .."why"..."oh I get it ...I think".."riiiigh...righ" and "true dat". Now saying the book was no masterpiece I WILL say this my virtual friend was HONEST, AUTHENTIC PASSIONATE and SINCERE but this is the type of guy he is. So if you decide to pick up this book go in thinking I am about to listen to a friend spill their guts and I think you will be ok. I hope Common can find the peace and understanding with his daughter. I love that he gives back unwillingly and I love he is guarded as well to know there are still people out here that will take you for a long unwanted ride in life and he tries to avoid those situations. I have to admit I have a love/dislike more love for Common because I have always been a fan and you want your favorite artist to grow but when they are exposed to the whole world and the whole world loves them there is a bit of Hollywood that most artist get where I feel I am loosing that true artistry of what made you fall in love in the first place. I just ask that Common stay down stay guarded and do not get too deep into Hollywood where you are not that dude from the good ol' Souf' side of Chicago! Peace!

11 people found this helpful

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Paulleatha

The Call of the Soul

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019

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I’m always intrigued by life stories, and because I appreciate Common’s unique artistry, I was excited to read this book. His heart shines through as he shares his introspective journey to love and to be loved, which humanizes him beyond the glitz and glamor of fame. I believe that he is more loving than he gives himself credit, and it is my hope that he sees it someday.

I gave it four stars, not because of content, but rather the writing style. I’m not sure who edited it, but they did a poor job. There were far too many run-on sentences which clearly conveyed his tendency to overthink. He mentions that he has concerns about the quality of his communication with others in a way that he is understood, and it shows. Otherwise, it is a worthy read and is revelatory of the soul of a good man.

12 people found this helpful

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Me

NO EDITING

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2019

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I was so excited to read this book because I love Common. I believe that this book was written with no editing. It was all over the place and no story. I returned it

17 people found this helpful

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Ashley Romero

So so Raw! A must read.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019

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Wow! He explored the intricacies of love in a very raw way. The act of loving and being loved... the vastness of it! I definitely recommend.

23 people found this helpful

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Angel B.

Great book! Purchase it!

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2019

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This book has some great nuggets and perspective in it. As a busy working mom and wife, I purchased the audible and listened to it on the way to work and while getting ready to start my day. Common narrated it himself and you can hear the authenticity in his voice. Definitely worth purchasing. I will be reading it through next time if I can ever find the time. Great book!

17 people found this helpful

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Common's LET LOVE HAVE THE LAST WORD shows us where the true source of happiness comes from

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2020

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I have to admit that before reading LET LOVE HAVE THE LAST WORD I knew very little about Common's backstory or his life outside of acting and music. What I got from the book is a deeper understanding of not just who the man is but what drives him. It's love.

In so many ways this book is not just his story but his understanding of the world and what makes us who we are, especially if your goal is to be better today than you were yesterday. After talking about the brilliance that is John Coltrane Common writes: "I wonder what inspired him: I wonder what inspires all of us to transform, to evolve, to become better versions of ourselves. "

His understand of the power of God and the love of God also comes out through the book when looking at himself and his relationships. "Love requires daily practice, and commitment, and effort," he writes. "Love is felt, yes, but it isn't self-sustained just because of the biological bond between parent and child. Everything in love requires work. Everything."

And that to me is the big message of the book. If you want something, no matter what it is, then it requires action on your part. You have work to do in order to get it. The question becomes are you willing to put in that work: in bettering yourself, in bettering your relationships and in bettering yourself professionally. If you lead with love then you will win. And that is a message the world definitely can benefit from right now.

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Nsheck

Awesome book

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019

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Very well written , very inspiring , helps you look at life in different perspectives Especially of love and understanding what exactly love is !

13 people found this helpful

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MerryMania

I get that we are all likely to model the behavior we have seen...

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2019

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I heard a radio interview of Common and felt interested to learn more.
The book was a little disappointing in that it sounded more like venting about his inability to maintain a long term relationship and trying to justify his imperfect relationship with his daughter.
I was hoping for more insight other than revealing that his father was absent in his life until the end.
I guess he’s just better at conveying his sensitivity and softer side orally rather than in the written word.

3 people found this helpful

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5 star		81%
4 star		10%
3 star		5%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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