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frankiepooh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
carnimdream's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
otterishly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I first read this book for a writing class in 8th grade, but since that had been years ago, I decided to give this another shot.
19 Varieties of Gazelle is a book written post 9-11 about the experiences of a first-generation Palestinian American author. Nye writes about her family both in North America and the Middle East, her time living in West Bank and about the rampant islamophobia exerienced in America. These themes have become increasingly relevant since October 7th, which is what drew me to read it again.
I do not come from a Palestinan or immigrant family. I have never experienced that displacement. I know that, as much as I would like it not to, it affects the ways I connect to this book. I feel that, in some sections, there are themes that I am not able to connect to the way that others may firsthand.
That being said, I found that, when reading the poems individually, the narriative Nye tells is very clear and strong. Nye manages to share themes of both the conflict and the smaller but appreciated things in life. In addition to creating powerful imagery, she tells a story that feels nostalgic and easy to step into the shoes of the narrator at times. This was really enjoyable and informative as a reader; getting a taste of her life while also learning about her experiences with the horrors that have been happening since 1948.
Similar to other reviewers, I do feel that at times the poems were hard to follow. The tone and pacing of the book felt stagnant- mostly the same- and felt disconnected in a way that clashed with the content of the poems and overall book. When transitioning from one poem to the other, it felt confusing because there was rarely a change in tone, creating no separation and making it feel like it was all one poem.
The lack of distinction between stories made me feel, at times, lost and overall like the poems blended together a bit too well, creating a lack of emphasis in certain areas and like no poem was really distinct enough to be rememberable. I feel like, instead, either a clearer emphasis on certain poems or themes or a distinct climax in the overarching story would tie the book together in a way that makes more sense. In addition, a variation in pacing is left to be desired.
However, I do feel that Nye tells a story that can't be missed. One of family, food, culture, struggle and community. The people in it feel fully fleshed, even as the poems are just a glimpse of them. The stories told are well balanced in both tragedy and hope in a way that shows you the whole people that we should be lifting up and supporting. It's a narriative that is incredibly necessary and yet still often left out in current times. I look forward to reading more works of Naomi Shihab Nye, and I encourage you to give this book a read for yourself.
19 Varieties of Gazelle is a book written post 9-11 about the experiences of a first-generation Palestinian American author. Nye writes about her family both in North America and the Middle East, her time living in West Bank and about the rampant islamophobia exerienced in America. These themes have become increasingly relevant since October 7th, which is what drew me to read it again.
I do not come from a Palestinan or immigrant family. I have never experienced that displacement. I know that, as much as I would like it not to, it affects the ways I connect to this book. I feel that, in some sections, there are themes that I am not able to connect to the way that others may firsthand.
That being said, I found that, when reading the poems individually, the narriative Nye tells is very clear and strong. Nye manages to share themes of both the conflict and the smaller but appreciated things in life. In addition to creating powerful imagery, she tells a story that feels nostalgic and easy to step into the shoes of the narrator at times. This was really enjoyable and informative as a reader; getting a taste of her life while also learning about her experiences with the horrors that have been happening since 1948.
Similar to other reviewers, I do feel that at times the poems were hard to follow. The tone and pacing of the book felt stagnant- mostly the same- and felt disconnected in a way that clashed with the content of the poems and overall book. When transitioning from one poem to the other, it felt confusing because there was rarely a change in tone, creating no separation and making it feel like it was all one poem.
The lack of distinction between stories made me feel, at times, lost and overall like the poems blended together a bit too well, creating a lack of emphasis in certain areas and like no poem was really distinct enough to be rememberable. I feel like, instead, either a clearer emphasis on certain poems or themes or a distinct climax in the overarching story would tie the book together in a way that makes more sense. In addition, a variation in pacing is left to be desired.
However, I do feel that Nye tells a story that can't be missed. One of family, food, culture, struggle and community. The people in it feel fully fleshed, even as the poems are just a glimpse of them. The stories told are well balanced in both tragedy and hope in a way that shows you the whole people that we should be lifting up and supporting. It's a narriative that is incredibly necessary and yet still often left out in current times. I look forward to reading more works of Naomi Shihab Nye, and I encourage you to give this book a read for yourself.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I like to be reading a poetry book at all times. Sometimes it takes me months to finish a book, but I believe poems are a necessary part of life. Readers should take the time to find poets and poems that they like. Reading them out loud, or better yet hearing them read makes all the difference. If I am not enamored with every poem in a book, I am sure to find one or two that blow me away.
It took me awhile to get into these poems by Nye. I have read a lot of her work in anthologies and I like the way she sees the world. My problem with this book is that most of the poems are about Palestine. Nye's writing in this case made me so sad.
Humans have never been good about sharing land. All the Europeans who came to the Americas found it difficult to leave the Native Americans alone. The aborigines in Australia have been pushed around the continent. I just wish and pray there could be a peaceful solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
This collection of Nye's poetry was put together for young adult readers. Although I found poems that I liked and could relate to, I am not sure teens would be very interested.
It took me awhile to get into these poems by Nye. I have read a lot of her work in anthologies and I like the way she sees the world. My problem with this book is that most of the poems are about Palestine. Nye's writing in this case made me so sad.
Humans have never been good about sharing land. All the Europeans who came to the Americas found it difficult to leave the Native Americans alone. The aborigines in Australia have been pushed around the continent. I just wish and pray there could be a peaceful solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
This collection of Nye's poetry was put together for young adult readers. Although I found poems that I liked and could relate to, I am not sure teens would be very interested.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
3.0
Some poems were great, and some others were just not it for me.
Some great story telling in there!
Some great story telling in there!
buttermellow's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Islamophobia, and Violence
gar42's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
These poems were published in this book after 9/11, when Islamophobia and prejudice toward Arab Americans ran rampant. Reading now, in November 2023, so little has changed. These poems echo.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
This thoughtfully compiled collection of poetry focuses on the culture of the Middle East and the tensions between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Nye is one of my all-time favorite poets, but I would have enjoyed this volume of poetry more if there were context for some of the poems. Most need no explanation, especially if you read them carefully, but for others I had difficulty following her thoughts or wanted to know more about the person or place she was describing.
Book Quote:
“Are people the only holy land?”
Book Quote:
“Are people the only holy land?”
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
3.0
I have to preface this review with the fact I'm not a poetry person. I read this to scope it out in order to use in my classroom when my English students are studying the Middle East in Social Studies I figured I could tie in with a poetry unit between novels. With that in mind, many of the poems in this book will work, as an entirety though, I cannot imagine 12 year olds reading it cover to cover. Many of them were beautiful glimpses into Arab culture, and others were just as memorable in their portrayal of the emotional toll of violence. This collection was written as a response to 9/11 and so it does a wonderful job of showing that not all Muslims are violent and the majority want peace. There is a tilt in this novel which I appreciated - it definitely has a Palestinian edge and in our Israel soaked media I appreciated this fresh viewpoint.