My mum bought me my first Acevedo book as part of our tradition. The summer would come around which confirmed that exam season was over and part of the reward would be a new book. It continued for some years and eventually, in line with my love for poetry, ‘Clap When You Land’ a novel-in-verse was my book of the summer. ‘Clap When You Land’ explores themes of family secrets, colorism, grief, survival, and love. It was my first time reading a novel by a Dominican author that highlighted ideas of the perceived privilege of being born in the U.S. and the cost of that privilege. I noticed that Acevedo had such a way of telling the story of grief and the complexities, misfortune, and woven poetry of the circumstances of the two young protagonists that it felt like a YA novel that adult readers could truly relate to. Family is a key theme of Acevedo’s work. ‘Family Lore' (the author’s first adult novel) is a testament to that, which also speaks to wider themes in Latinx family cultural values. A few reviews also mentioned themes of magic realism showing up which is reminiscent of Colombian writer Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez, a writer I’m now excited to look into.
Have you read any of Acevedo’s work? Do you have any Dominican writers to share? Let us know below!
On Sunday 30th June I’ll be hosting the Writing from abundance:: Writers resisting survival mode workshop. I cannot wait to write and resist with you. This will be a chance to consider and challenge survival mode which contrasts the freedom needed to truly tell our stories as writers. It’s not too late to join! Tickets are $10.10 USD and I have made space for sponsored tickets for those who would appreciate it (just drop me a line!) Feel free to ask me any questions or sign up using the link below. Hope to see you there!
Love her! I've only read a few pieces of her work, though. I read "The Poet X" first followed by "Clap When You Land." I recently bought "Family Lore" but I haven't started it yet. I love "The Poet X."
And I ADORE Márquez! It always takes me a while to get into it when I read his work, but then I remember why I'm drawn to his work and why he is one of my favourite authors.
I was fortunate to attend a Black Girl Book Club event a few years ago with Elizabeth Acevedo as the guest of honour. It was my introduction to "The Poet X", my first novel-in-verse. I remember feeling like "With The Fire On High" is exactly the type of novel that pre-teen me would've got stuck into. I might need to re-read it in Baby Bleggs' honour 🥰
Love her! I've only read a few pieces of her work, though. I read "The Poet X" first followed by "Clap When You Land." I recently bought "Family Lore" but I haven't started it yet. I love "The Poet X."
Oh amazing, I haven’t yet read ‘Family Lore’ but I really feel like it will be a beautiful read, enjoy!! Thanks for offering into this space
Listen to what she says about her poem: ‘Ode to Rat’ I think is the title. I think I found it on the poetry foundation website.
Okok thank you!!! I read part of it but I'm gonna sit with it entirely today on your word alone!
It’s a video on why she wrote it and what her professor had to say about.
oh sweet, yes I'm gonna watch it thanks for recommending
And I ADORE Márquez! It always takes me a while to get into it when I read his work, but then I remember why I'm drawn to his work and why he is one of my favourite authors.
I was fortunate to attend a Black Girl Book Club event a few years ago with Elizabeth Acevedo as the guest of honour. It was my introduction to "The Poet X", my first novel-in-verse. I remember feeling like "With The Fire On High" is exactly the type of novel that pre-teen me would've got stuck into. I might need to re-read it in Baby Bleggs' honour 🥰