There Will Be No Miracles Here (2018) is the memoir of Casey Gerald, a Black man who grew up in a disadvantaged area of Dallas, Texas, and later had the opportunity to attend Yale College and Harvard Business School. The book recounts the challenges and pleasures of his childhood, then focuses on Gerald’s efforts to fit in at Yale and become a leader. The book is partly a commentary on the American dream, which is portrayed as an insiders’ club. It is also a testament to the importance of personal integrity for finding happiness and meaning in life.

Summary

Gerald becomes the symbol of hope for many in his disadvantaged hometown because of his admission to Yale and other accolades. He remains acutely aware that his chance to break into the ruling elite is rare for someone of his background. Gerald’s father was once a star football player recruited onto a big college team, and that is the dream of many who attended Gerald’s high school. His father suffered an injury that effectively ended his career before it began, and Gerald was born in the aftermath of that tragedy—and in the shadow of his father.

The elder Gerald spends time in prison and struggles with addiction, and he fails to effectively parent in many respects. Gerald’s mother, meanwhile, is mentally ill and disappears from his life for years without explanation. Gerald’s pain from the separation is severe, and he struggles to make sense of her illness and his own strong emotions. Gerald’s grandmother and older sister take over where his parents left off, and both are important relationships in his youth. Gerald performs well in school throughout these trying circumstances. He is also a solid, but not outstanding, football player in high school.

Gerald discovers that he is attracted to men when the internet is still relatively new. In online chat rooms, he connects with other boys who become his lovers before, and briefly during, his time at Yale. As with the challenges of his upbringing, Gerald’s homosexuality is presented as simple fact. Notably, however, Gerald conceals his sexual orientation from most of the outside world.

Race cannot be concealed, however, and Gerald takes a fierce pride in both his Blackness and his tough upbringing once he arrives at Yale. He does not identify with many at Yale. Nonetheless, he takes a leadership role in the second half of his Yale years by founding and then leading the Black Men’s Union at the school.

When faced with the reality of running for national office in Texas and having to reveal his homosexuality, Gerald’s determination to be a symbol for his community cracks, and he sees how far he has gotten away from himself. He seeks a transformation in himself, leading him to write this book.

Please note that this guide obscures the author’s use of the n-word.