Sign in with Facebook
Emma Giordano's Reviews > The Poet X
The Poet X
by
by
This was a surprising read for me!! I do not read poetry, nor do I typically like it, therefore I have avoided reading books in verse for years. I decided to pick up the audiobook from my library just because it was so short, but I’m so pleased I gave it a chance. This is a story absolutely everyone should experience.
CW: sexism/misogyny, homophobia, slut-shaming, abuse, sexual assault/harassment
I would HIGHLY recommend the audio version of this novel. I don’t have an experience with the physical novel to compare it to, but Elizabeth Acevedo does a fantastic job of performing her novel. The passion for her writing and the power behind her words comes through so strongly by listening. Plus, it’s only about 4 hours and is extremely easy to fall into. You will DEVOUR this audiobook.
The writing is INCREDIBLE. I know nothing about poetry and sentence structure in verse, but I KNOW Elizabeth Acevedo is a master. Her syntax is inhumanely perfect, every word carefully chosen and placed where it is meant to be. I’m genuinely shocked this is a debut as the author appears so competent and experienced in her craft. If you are yearning for a story with beautiful writing and a memorable voice, The Poet X absolutely needs to be on your list.
I was really shocked with how much I resonated with this novel. Xiomara’s story deals with endless important topics, from dealing with sexism to questioning her faith as well as coping with her difficult family life and exploring her own identity. I went into this novel expecting to read a story about someone very different from myself (a Dominican teen with a twin brother who comes from a very strict, religious household) but came away relating to Xiomara in a way I have not connected with a character in a while. I felt so heard in the way Xiomara expresses her experience as a girl, not only in how she receives so much unwanted attention and objectification, but also in how she learns to recognize her value and take pride in herself. I love watching girls know their worth and finally lay claim to the space they are entitled to take up in this world, physically and emotionally. I’m taken aback with how accurately this story spoke to me, but I’m also leaving this story so empowered.
The Poet X was an enchanting story about what it means to be a girl, a sister, a daughter, but most importantly, what it means to be your own individual person. Xiomara is immensely creative, talented, likeable, and relatable. She has a story to tell that you won’t want to miss. I don’t think I would consider this an absolute favorite of mine, but it is an amazing story that I’d recommend to absolutely anyone.
CW: sexism/misogyny, homophobia, slut-shaming, abuse, sexual assault/harassment
I would HIGHLY recommend the audio version of this novel. I don’t have an experience with the physical novel to compare it to, but Elizabeth Acevedo does a fantastic job of performing her novel. The passion for her writing and the power behind her words comes through so strongly by listening. Plus, it’s only about 4 hours and is extremely easy to fall into. You will DEVOUR this audiobook.
The writing is INCREDIBLE. I know nothing about poetry and sentence structure in verse, but I KNOW Elizabeth Acevedo is a master. Her syntax is inhumanely perfect, every word carefully chosen and placed where it is meant to be. I’m genuinely shocked this is a debut as the author appears so competent and experienced in her craft. If you are yearning for a story with beautiful writing and a memorable voice, The Poet X absolutely needs to be on your list.
I was really shocked with how much I resonated with this novel. Xiomara’s story deals with endless important topics, from dealing with sexism to questioning her faith as well as coping with her difficult family life and exploring her own identity. I went into this novel expecting to read a story about someone very different from myself (a Dominican teen with a twin brother who comes from a very strict, religious household) but came away relating to Xiomara in a way I have not connected with a character in a while. I felt so heard in the way Xiomara expresses her experience as a girl, not only in how she receives so much unwanted attention and objectification, but also in how she learns to recognize her value and take pride in herself. I love watching girls know their worth and finally lay claim to the space they are entitled to take up in this world, physically and emotionally. I’m taken aback with how accurately this story spoke to me, but I’m also leaving this story so empowered.
The Poet X was an enchanting story about what it means to be a girl, a sister, a daughter, but most importantly, what it means to be your own individual person. Xiomara is immensely creative, talented, likeable, and relatable. She has a story to tell that you won’t want to miss. I don’t think I would consider this an absolute favorite of mine, but it is an amazing story that I’d recommend to absolutely anyone.
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
The Poet X.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
January 4, 2019
–
Started Reading
January 6, 2019
–
Finished Reading
January 7, 2019
– Shelved
January 7, 2019
– Shelved as:
audiobooks
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Era
(new)
Jan 07, 2019 09:12AM
Good job for giving it a try
reply
|
flag
I love that this book is gaining more popularity! I barely saw anyone mention it until recently. Love the review <3
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan was the first book I read that was written in verse and I was not expecting to love it as much as I did! I recently read The Poet X (and loved it too) because of Moonrise 😊
246810121416182022!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!
It has very problematic representation of both Dominicans and Catholics
I love this book glad you liked it to.
You're so right, the audiobook version takes it to another level. Well, Acevedo's reading takes it to another level.
Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl going thru the normal questions most people have at that age. It's literally in her perspective. From her point of view. As for the way Catholicism is portrayed, did you think Calidad and Father Sean were bad examples of a Christian? Or was it the mother, and if it was, I've known plenty of non-Catholic mothers who act the same way. Sometimes mom's are like that. It doesn't make it right or wrong, it's just what it is. If the book was written in third person I could see where one might think this book could be an argument for a specific way to think about Dominicans and Catholics, but it's not . It's about one girl's view on her life. What you are saying is akin to saying after reading The Great Gatsby, all white people are rich and selfish. Or the author wants us to think that. No. It doesn't work that way.
Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl going thru the normal questions most p..."Please don’t dismiss my corners about the terrible portrayal of Dominicans and catholics just because you liked this. It’s a bad representation even if it’s an award winning book, even if she supposedly took from her own life.
I’m tired of having the same story told over and over again about Dominicans and other Latin Americans. I don’t think that about white people because the Great Gastby isn’t the only story told over and over again about white, rich or US citizens. The same can’t be told about Latin American and Dominicans.
A book full of stereotypes isn’t a good book even if lots of people like it. You can still like it, but don’t tell me it’s not a bad portrayal because it is.
You can still love it and that’s fine, it doesn’t erase the bad representation nor the bad stereotypes this novel is full of.
You liked it, I didn’t and that’s fine. I just want people to be aware of the awful, terrible cliches and stereotypes this novel has.
SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl going thru the normal..."I didn't dismiss your comment. I disagreed with it. I still do and it has nothing to do with if I liked it or not. If you haven't found any books that represent Catholicism or Dominicans in a light you agree with, try harder. I know a lot of books that paint Catholicism in a brighter light, although I still don't see how you can dismiss Calidad's and Father Sean's contributions to the story because I think they were portraying a positive view of following their faith. I will agree that there may not be a plethora of books written from the Dominican POV or about Dominicans, but I don't see why this book has to be damned because of it. Should all imprints and publishers hold out on Dominican-related books and authors until it meets a POV you think is up to par?
Jennifer wrote: "SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl go..."Ok honey I will “try harder”�. I wonder if you’d dare to say the same, or dismiss the concerns of POC or Lgtbq+ When they point out problematic stories of books you like.
As for the two secondary irrelevant catholic characters they are so underdeveloped as well as her evil for the sake of being evil mother. But her fanatic mother has more weight, and is the typical bigoted catholic. I didn’t like her unidimensional stereotypical characters, sue me. I will try harder.
This book is not good and perpetuates the single story of Latin Americans. I don’t care if people read it or not, it’s not my place to tell others what to read or to “try harder� when looking for diversity or representation done right.
Nobody will bully me out of my opinion, so try harder honey.
SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl going thru the normal..."I guess we will have to disagree on it. I know you have a right to not like the book or its portrayal of anything. Me, I love seeing well-written books from people of color. To me, the more like that, the better. The more people of any color, gender, or whatnot, the better, especially if they show talent in the writing art. Maybe the success of this book will make more imprints and publishers want to publish more Latin American or Dominican authors. I mean, would we have the literature from the African American authors we have today if people dismissed The Color Purple, Sula, Song of Solomon, sorry I'm a sucker for Morrison, and all these other books that have perspectives about African Americans that some would say are stereotypical? How many Latin American female authors are mainstream and big-time? If we ask ŷ I'm pretty sure people would probably only come up with a handful off the top of their heads. And if Cisneros and Allende are two of them, and I think they are, the way Cisneros writes, one could say she writes a poor, stereotypical portrayal of Latin American culture. But I adore her writing, too. I do defend The Poet X because I am a sucker for a good book. I hated the characters and lifestyle in Gatsby, but I still loved the way the book was written.
Jennifer wrote: "SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of one young girl go..."But you only get one story, the same, over and over again. So that's that.
I will support genuine, unique, different perspectives and voices, not stereotypical ones, but you do you. 🖖🏼
SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of ... I"Of course there are problematic books, and yes I dare to point out problematic things. You and I disagree that this book is problematic. And I will do me; I don't need your permission, just as you are going to do without mine. If you only see one POV you do need to read more because there are a lot of books out there that have different povs about the same subject matter. They may not be as well written or they may be superior. This was supposed to be a discussion of books, as in what ŷ was made for. If you read my comments you see I point out it is distinctly my point of view and my opinion. You have projected judgement into my comments and that's not my fault. I see nothing disingenuine about The Poet X and you do. I don't see why you have to have a condescending tone for a different opinion. It seems contradictory to what you seek in literature. I suppose you didn't want a discussion anyways, you never answered my question about Calidad and the father.
SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "SpookySoto wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Spooky Soto I don't think the book was written to represent all Dominicans and Catholicism as a religion. It is written from the perspective of ..."Oh I missed that other comment. You did answer my question about the supporting characters. I agree they weren't highly fleshed out but we are talking about a relatively short book and they are minor characters. I also think the plotting was a little meh but overall I still think the book is well written. And if you think 'try harder' is bullying, I think we really have very different opinions and experiences in life and that is why we disagree on this book.
Wow! What a great review. I am downloading the audiobook right now!!
Now you need to listen to Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Another absolutely gorgeous book read by the amazing author that will make you question why you ever resisted books in verse. Absolutely breath taking.
How does it even work ?
I really enjoyed your review. It was right how I felt.
