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janagaton's review against another edition
3.0
Though historical fiction is not my cup of tea, that did not take away from the beautiful writing of this book written in verse. I reread a bunch of the pages because some of the lines resonated with me so well, despite the time period and culture differences. I gave it 3 stars as opposed to anything higher because I hated the mother's character and how she viewed her daughter as monstrous and didnt accept her at all, and some of the concepts in the book, such as arranged marriages, just make me so frustrated and uncomfortable even though I know that shedding light to those things is part of historical fiction. Im aware those are probably not too good reasons to lower a rating but 3 stars just seemed right.
On another note, this book reminds me a lot of The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, just in a way earlier time period.
On another note, this book reminds me a lot of The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, just in a way earlier time period.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Subtitle: Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist. This piece of historical fiction is told entirely in verse, the medium which Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda (a/k/a Tula) chose to voice her opinions on slavery and women’s rights.
Engle gives us some insight into the conflicting thoughts and feelings of the young Tula as she approaches the age when young girls are given in marriage – or, as she puts it “sold to a stranger to ensure the family’s fortunes.” Her refusal to bow to this tradition earns her the scorn and ridicule of her mother and peers, and banishment to her grandfather’s plantation. She often expresses how she feels almost as enslaved as the slaves her family has to do their work.
Engle’s poetry is moving and elegant; I marvel that she can convey so much in so few words. At the end of the novel she includes some historical background on Gertrudis, as well as some of her original poetry (in Spanish, with translation).
I highly recommend this for everyone, but especially for young women.
Engle gives us some insight into the conflicting thoughts and feelings of the young Tula as she approaches the age when young girls are given in marriage – or, as she puts it “sold to a stranger to ensure the family’s fortunes.” Her refusal to bow to this tradition earns her the scorn and ridicule of her mother and peers, and banishment to her grandfather’s plantation. She often expresses how she feels almost as enslaved as the slaves her family has to do their work.
Engle’s poetry is moving and elegant; I marvel that she can convey so much in so few words. At the end of the novel she includes some historical background on Gertrudis, as well as some of her original poetry (in Spanish, with translation).
I highly recommend this for everyone, but especially for young women.
gmamartha's review against another edition
4.0
Words are powerful, and when saved for others, they can influence countless generations.
adreamerreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
xread_write_repeatx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
bhavani's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not really into poetry because they often don't make any sense to me or are too sappy. The Lightning Dreamer hits the right notes because it is neither. Written from various points of view as imagined by the author based on actual events, it is a first-person narrative in verse. It begins with a young Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, nicknamed Tula, thinking of and dreading her impending arranged marriage when she turns 14 and follows her growth from a child to a young woman living in Havana and supporting herself by tutoring to her move to Europe. I gravitate towards feminist writing and finding this book in my library's Overdrive collection is a blessing since I wouldn't have heard of it otherwise. The Lightning Dreamer is a book that I'd return to and one that I'd recommend to others.
lindsayb's review against another edition
3.0
Engle has a great story to work with here, but the novel in verse format doesn't do it enough justice.
abbypneal's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 stars
This is an interesting story about a fascinating woman, but I had a few problems. First, I don't think I like books in verse. I hadn't read one since I was in middle school and read Ellen Hopkins books, but I wasn't a fan. I also think that this book focused too much of Tula's love interests, when the more interesting story is the things she does for herself, her writing, and her abolitionism. Since the book was in verse I also felt like we were rushing along, only getting a few lines about major events. Thus, nothing really seemed that important until I reached the author's note and realized that the book was over. I didn't really enjoy anything about the book itself, but I'm giving this 1.5 stars just because Tula is interesting and deserves to have her story told.
This is an interesting story about a fascinating woman, but I had a few problems. First, I don't think I like books in verse. I hadn't read one since I was in middle school and read Ellen Hopkins books, but I wasn't a fan. I also think that this book focused too much of Tula's love interests, when the more interesting story is the things she does for herself, her writing, and her abolitionism. Since the book was in verse I also felt like we were rushing along, only getting a few lines about major events. Thus, nothing really seemed that important until I reached the author's note and realized that the book was over. I didn't really enjoy anything about the book itself, but I'm giving this 1.5 stars just because Tula is interesting and deserves to have her story told.
ziyal's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how I wish I could give a book over five stars, because this book deserves all the praise and more.