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kaitlynk_thatpageturninglife's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
empressofbookingham's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If I was to sum up this book in three words it would be beautiful, beautiful and beautiful: from the cover to how the story is delivered to us. But be wary, Acevedo tackles heavy topics such as loss, betrayal, sexual assault, social economic status and what it means to be 'family' among other themes. This is a tragically beautiful story delivered in prose that had me turning the pages till I flipped the last page.
Told in verse from the alternating dual first-person perspectives, we follow the life and upbrings of both Camino and Yahaira before and after the central figure in their life passes on. At first the stories are delivered separately but towards the end the story converges and becomes one.
I was spellbound by how the author delivered such powerful meaning using proses that rhymed, reasoned out and resonates with you while the feelings in candor, color and care made the characters come to life. To me every line held meaning to what it means to be betrayed, bereaved, lost, to forgive and finally to find your way home.
With the two dispering perspectives Acevedo allowed me the reader to explore these characters, their grief, fears, loss and vulnerabilities more deeply that I felt like I was part of their life and loss.
Camino’s verses were like poetic prose, flowing and straightforward. Read:
'My life's passions
are all about water breaking, new life making
taking breath in wrinkled flesh.'
While Yahaira’s delivery was more free flowing and urgent, and somewhat cryptic. Read:
' Because I don't know
if Papi is an anchor
at the bottom of the ocean,
I ignore everyone's call. '
Clap When You Land is a deeply profound novel pulls you in, tags your heartstrings and begs you to reflect deeply upon your life. It intricately and delicately portrays themes of grief, sexual assault, sisterhood, betrayal, cultural identity, and family.
The book’s title acknowledges a tradition Acevedo, who was born in New York City to Dominican parents and visited the island nearly every summer, observed on her trips back. As soon as the plane touched the ground in Santo Domingo, the passengers would break into applause. It's meaning you ask? You'll have to read the book to find out what it means to clap when you land. But I'll tell you this, the story the author pays reverent tribute to the lives lost in a similar crash in 2001.
As I turned the last page, I bowed down to Acevedo's wordplay, rhymes, alliteration and imagery that make me want to read more from her.
I feel that poetry lovers will deeply enjoy this read. That being said, I'd highly recommend this book to everyone.
Told in verse from the alternating dual first-person perspectives, we follow the life and upbrings of both Camino and Yahaira before and after the central figure in their life passes on. At first the stories are delivered separately but towards the end the story converges and becomes one.
I was spellbound by how the author delivered such powerful meaning using proses that rhymed, reasoned out and resonates with you while the feelings in candor, color and care made the characters come to life. To me every line held meaning to what it means to be betrayed, bereaved, lost, to forgive and finally to find your way home.
With the two dispering perspectives Acevedo allowed me the reader to explore these characters, their grief, fears, loss and vulnerabilities more deeply that I felt like I was part of their life and loss.
Camino’s verses were like poetic prose, flowing and straightforward. Read:
'My life's passions
are all about water breaking, new life making
taking breath in wrinkled flesh.'
While Yahaira’s delivery was more free flowing and urgent, and somewhat cryptic. Read:
' Because I don't know
if Papi is an anchor
at the bottom of the ocean,
I ignore everyone's call. '
Clap When You Land is a deeply profound novel pulls you in, tags your heartstrings and begs you to reflect deeply upon your life. It intricately and delicately portrays themes of grief, sexual assault, sisterhood, betrayal, cultural identity, and family.
The book’s title acknowledges a tradition Acevedo, who was born in New York City to Dominican parents and visited the island nearly every summer, observed on her trips back. As soon as the plane touched the ground in Santo Domingo, the passengers would break into applause. It's meaning you ask? You'll have to read the book to find out what it means to clap when you land. But I'll tell you this, the story the author pays reverent tribute to the lives lost in a similar crash in 2001.
As I turned the last page, I bowed down to Acevedo's wordplay, rhymes, alliteration and imagery that make me want to read more from her.
I feel that poetry lovers will deeply enjoy this read. That being said, I'd highly recommend this book to everyone.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
krhe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
He sentido muchas cosas. No sé muy bien cómo expresarlas. Solo sé que me ha gustado mucho. Y que esta vez el final ha sido más orgánico. Y lo agradezco. Aunque alerta TW varios porque wow.
Update 03/03/2022
Ahora que está más procesado, behold spoilers.
Estoy actualmente procesando duelos, así que no sé si ha sido lo mejor que podría haber escogido para leer en este momento. Había algunos TW que ni quise mirar pero vi llegar a pesar de todo:
-Por un lado, el duelo sobre la muerte del padre, que ocurre justo al inicio. Las voces de las protagonistas y la caracterización de su padre y la mezcla de amor y odio han estado close to home. Además, este tema de las dobles (o más) familias me ha recordado a la situación de una persona conocida y muy querida, y no he podido dejar de pensar en cómo viviría ella esa dicotomía. Me ha recordado también a algunas personas de mi familia que perdieron a su padre cuando eran muy jóvenes y que han tenido que rellenar huecos con lo poco que han querido contarles sobre él. Yo, que lo he vivido desde lejos y con mucho retardo, no puedo siquiera imaginar qué clase de sensaciones, sentimientos y agujeros tienen en su historia personal.
-Por otro lado, el tema del grooming y de la prostitución infantil. Una de las protagonistas sufre acoso callejero y verbal de un hombre bastante mayor que ella siendo, además, una cría (menor de edad, vamos). Es un tema que me toca de cerca y que me evoca entre asco, miedo y angustia, o todo junto. Las reacciones de su entorno me son familiares, pero me apena que no se haga nada hasta que todo llegue muy lejos, aunque entiendo que la vergüenza que se pasa al vivir esas situaciones y la sensación de "no me van a creer" lleva al silencio y desde el silencio es más complicado de detectar nada. Si yo hubiera sido la tía de la protagonista, la bala se la metía aunque fuera en la pierna o en el brazo, no chill.
Update 03/03/2022
Ahora que está más procesado, behold spoilers.
Estoy actualmente procesando duelos, así que no sé si ha sido lo mejor que podría haber escogido para leer en este momento. Había algunos TW que ni quise mirar pero vi llegar a pesar de todo:
-Por un lado, el duelo sobre la muerte del padre, que ocurre justo al inicio. Las voces de las protagonistas y la caracterización de su padre y la mezcla de amor y odio han estado close to home. Además, este tema de las dobles (o más) familias me ha recordado a la situación de una persona conocida y muy querida, y no he podido dejar de pensar en cómo viviría ella esa dicotomía. Me ha recordado también a algunas personas de mi familia que perdieron a su padre cuando eran muy jóvenes y que han tenido que rellenar huecos con lo poco que han querido contarles sobre él. Yo, que lo he vivido desde lejos y con mucho retardo, no puedo siquiera imaginar qué clase de sensaciones, sentimientos y agujeros tienen en su historia personal.
-Por otro lado, el tema del grooming y de la prostitución infantil. Una de las protagonistas sufre acoso callejero y verbal de un hombre bastante mayor que ella siendo, además, una cría (menor de edad, vamos). Es un tema que me toca de cerca y que me evoca entre asco, miedo y angustia, o todo junto. Las reacciones de su entorno me son familiares, pero me apena que no se haga nada hasta que todo llegue muy lejos, aunque entiendo que la vergüenza que se pasa al vivir esas situaciones y la sensación de "no me van a creer" lleva al silencio y desde el silencio es más complicado de detectar nada. Si yo hubiera sido la tía de la protagonista, la bala se la metía aunque fuera en la pierna o en el brazo, no chill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child abuse
canascorner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
lilacsophie's review
emotional
sad
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Trafficking, and Pedophilia
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Vomit
plane crash, premature baby, homebirth,
More...