Let Love Have the Last Word: A Memoir

Common

May 2019 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

“An insightful memoir that uncovers unique stories about matters of the heart.” —Essence

The inspiring New York Times bestseller from Common—the Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Golden Globe–winning musician, actor, and activist—explores how love and mindfulness can build communities and allow you to take better control of your life through actions and words.

Common believes that the phrase “let love have the last word” is not just a declaration; it is a statement of purpose, a daily promise. Love is the most powerful force on the planet, and ultimately the way you love determines who you are and how you experience life.

Touching on God, self-love, partners, children, family, and community, Common explores the core tenets of love to help us understand what it means to receive and, most importantly, to give love. He moves from the personal—writing about his daughter, to whom he wants to be a better father—to the universal, where he observes that our society has become fractured under issues of race and politics. He knows there’s no quick remedy for all of the hurt in the world, but love—for yourself and for others—is where the healing begins.

In his first public reveal, Common also shares a deeply personal experience of childhood molestation that he is now confronting…and forgiving.

Courageous, insightful, brave, and characteristically authentic, Let Love Have the Last Word shares Common’s own unique and personal stories of the people and experiences that have led to a greater understanding of love and all it has to offer. It is a powerful call to action for a new generation of open hearts and minds, one that is sure to resonate for years to come.

Ratings and reviews

I like the way Common was transparent in this book. It was a bit shocking to see so much vulnerability laid out from the beginning. There wasn't anything that I disliked about it. How could you dislike someone's raw emotions? The characters are real, the feelings real, and the way things were dealt with was very conscious and loving. This book was a form of therapy, love therapy for the soul. I really can't compare this book or author to anyone else. It stands out as a very good book portraying love in it's raw essence. Common's inner work shines through in this book. Hope we all can have more "common sense" like this with Love leading the way and having the last word.

This book has helped me to become more aware of how I've dealt with LOVE in multiple facets of my life. There's definitely some things for me to reevaluate. Thank you Common for being so transparent and vulnerable. Keep letting your light shine and speaking truth. God bless you 🙏

Absolutely great book.

About the author

Common is an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy Award–winning music artist. He is an actor and producer and has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films as well as hit TV series. Common is the author of One Day It’ll All Make Sense, which was also a New York Times bestseller. He was raised in Chicago and currently resides in Los Angeles and Brooklyn.