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jakekilroy's review against another edition
4.0
It can be difficult to love one's home, especially if it's as big and ruthless as America. You're handed so much faith in its capabilities, a blazing nationalism developed through things like seemingly non-threatening sitcom tropes until it practically becomes mythos. As the gay son of Cuban immigrants, Blanco has been repeatedly told one thing about America and repeatedly delivered and paid witness to another. That separation has since seen flower bloom in the cracks, with the elder statesman now able to capture what this country is, has been, and could be in the tiny details and tinier moments. We should all want a better life — for ourselves, for our loved ones, for everyone. Such tenderness can be found in the lives we make, but a nation has the power to aid those endeavors, to help make existence easier and community stronger, to give us the allowance of things to appreciate and value. Blanco wants this country to be what it at times fervently believes it is, though is not and never has been. As such, he shall root for its better character without romanticizing the nation, all the while deeply reflecting on what has and has not been (his) life here.
hannie241's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful collection of poetry that will stick with me for a long time to come. Richard Blanco has a gift for being able to use his writing to get to the root of a number of major issues facing the world today. The poems are easy to read and the messages are powerful, making this a great collection for people who are trying to get into poetry for the first time. Everything here is incredibly politically motivated, however, so if reading is a form of escapism from current events, then this probably isn't a good fit. Still, I highly recommend this, even if you don't usually like poetry.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
rpost's review
5.0
I've had mixed feelings towards America for awhile now, but have struggled to articulate these conflicted emotions. Blanco's collection of poems encapsulated the love and frustrations I feel. How it's possible to be proud of the country's stated ideals, but not be blind to the mistakes we've all made towards others of various ethnic/sexual/gender groups, and how we jeopardise all if we continue to journey down a path of division.
Particular favourite poems include: "American Wandersong" for demonstrating how various places can leave an impact on your life, development, and personal perspectives, "Mother Country" for the line "You know, mijo, it isn't where you're born that matters, it's where you choose to die - that's your country," and "Poetry Assignment #4: What do you miss most" for being a proper gut punch. "America the Beautiful Again" and "Seventeen Funerals" are also deeply moving. The entire collection is A+.
Particular favourite poems include: "American Wandersong" for demonstrating how various places can leave an impact on your life, development, and personal perspectives, "Mother Country" for the line "You know, mijo, it isn't where you're born that matters, it's where you choose to die - that's your country," and "Poetry Assignment #4: What do you miss most" for being a proper gut punch. "America the Beautiful Again" and "Seventeen Funerals" are also deeply moving. The entire collection is A+.
devrose's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very polished collection of poetry. I would expect no less from Obama's Presidential Inaugural Poet. The focus is on America - current events and Blanco's relationship to his country. I definitely enjoyed the book more than many of the others I've read and I think the first poems comparing the current political climate to gardening were inspired. They were the best of the lot, in my opinion.