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cokechukwu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
adrianlarose's review against another edition
5.0
about the riot we are still living in; could anything be less poetic, and yet taught so well?
nglofile's review against another edition
5.0
"A precision that is both beautiful and deeply uncomfortable..."
The above originated in an NPR review of Electric Arches, but the sentiment perfectly encapsulates the experience of 1919.
The creative vision that sparked this work is alone worthy of exclamation: craft verse in conversation with passages from a 1922 report (The Negro in Chicago: A Study on Race Relations and a Race Riot) to shine a light on a criminally unknown event and what resonance it still holds today. The forms of poetry vary, but one element held in common is the illumination of truth, as well as what the reader/listener might do with this newfound understanding.
The structure is eminently accessible; concise entries and overall brevity might entice casual curiosity. However, once phrases are taken in, the impact is inescapable. I might cite specific poems that moved me to break away for contemplation (the candidates would be many), but if I were to cite only one it would have to be "there is no poem for this" wherein the poet simply quotes a particularly heinous encounter and allows it sit with no additional comment. That restraint speaks volumes.
When a heavily redacted memo pleading for tempered response, one that is revealed to have been received in anticipation of verdict for a racially charged trial in late 2018, is juxtaposed with the events of the Red Summer race riots, the option of looking away is untenable.
This is an elegant, powerful work that is destined to prompt both conversation and, one can only hope, change.
The above originated in an NPR review of Electric Arches, but the sentiment perfectly encapsulates the experience of 1919.
The creative vision that sparked this work is alone worthy of exclamation: craft verse in conversation with passages from a 1922 report (The Negro in Chicago: A Study on Race Relations and a Race Riot) to shine a light on a criminally unknown event and what resonance it still holds today. The forms of poetry vary, but one element held in common is the illumination of truth, as well as what the reader/listener might do with this newfound understanding.
The structure is eminently accessible; concise entries and overall brevity might entice casual curiosity. However, once phrases are taken in, the impact is inescapable. I might cite specific poems that moved me to break away for contemplation (the candidates would be many), but if I were to cite only one it would have to be "there is no poem for this" wherein the poet simply quotes a particularly heinous encounter and allows it sit with no additional comment. That restraint speaks volumes.
When a heavily redacted memo pleading for tempered response, one that is revealed to have been received in anticipation of verdict for a racially charged trial in late 2018, is juxtaposed with the events of the Red Summer race riots, the option of looking away is untenable.
This is an elegant, powerful work that is destined to prompt both conversation and, one can only hope, change.
beatrizkelly's review against another edition
5.0
some of this was beyond my comprehension but i loved it nevertheless, the fact that danez smith edited it makes sense :)
ktxx22's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this poetry collection and the basis for it. The format of this is great using historical context/lines from a book about the Race Riots in chicago 1919 for the inspiration of the poems. I loved that. Very punchy collection and I appreciated the authors audiobook reading/delivery as well!
space_hag's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the way these poems played in the historical texts. Much of this will be good to pair with teaching The Great Migration, A Raisin In the Sun, and histories of resistance. I imagine this would be especially powerful for folks from or living in Chicago.
rita_reads_cda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Nice way to yearn a bit of history.
The author’s narration is great.
The author’s narration is great.