Reviews

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

ferndean's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

mawalker1962's review against another edition

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4.0

Heart-wrenching stories in lyrical form. They provoke tears and sorrow, teach, indict, and inspire.

scholastic_squid's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

bibliophagy's review against another edition

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5.0

one i want to read over and over and over again

btapp's review against another edition

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5.0

monumental

jesshooves's review against another edition

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“Rivers are the old roads, as are songs, to traverse memory. I emerged from the story, dripping with the waters of memory.”

knbee's review against another edition

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3.0

To reiterate what I said a few reviews back: I am definitely a poetry novice. I am trying, though, and while I don't always GET IT, I definitely know what appeals to me personally. It's gotta be creative but straightforward, with unique perspectives and plenty of gut punches. There were some poems in this one that checked all of those boxes and others that did not (mostly the straightforward box), but overall I liked it. Found it beautiful at times, heartbreaking at others, informative and important. It's on a lot of Best of 2019 lists, and considering it's a work by the Poet Laureate of the U.S., it's a pretty sure bet.

biedermeier_margo's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

4.25

rjsreadingnook's review against another edition

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5.0

“Bless us, these lands, said the rememberer. These lands aren’t our lands. These lands aren’t your lands. We are this land.”

A masterpiece collection of poetry by Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate of the United States (at the time of publication).

Many of these poems should be required reading for history class in schools.

“The Old Ones will always tell you, your ancestors keep watch over you. Listen to them.”

avkesner's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't read much poetry but loved the audio book of Joy Harjo reading An American Sunrise. Harjo writes of her history -- her ancestors who were removed from their lands- and the impact it has on her today. She writes beautifully about her mother's death, helping us see and understand more about her culture, traditions, and history. This is a beautiful collection that makes you want to sit and savor every word.