He Never Came Homeis 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 byEssencemagazine'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 inHe Never Came Homeare organized into three categories: Divorce, Distant, and Deceased. With essays by contributors such as Emmy Award–winning actressRegina King,fitness expert andNew York Timesbest-selling authorGabby Reece,and television comedy writerJenny 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.
Regina R. Robertsonis the west coast editor for
Essencemagazine. Along with penning cover and feature stories (and the once-weekly online column View from the West), her work has appeared in such publications as
O, The Oprah Magazine, the
Associated Press, and
The Root. She has also been quoted in the
Los Angeles Timesand appeared as a featured guest on NPR,
The Real, Reelz, TVOne, and KTLA-TV. She lives in Los Angeles.
Joy-Ann Reidis the host of the show
AM Joyon MSNBC and a national correspondent appearing regularly on prime-time programs including