Scan barcode
roseleaf24's review
3.0
I wish I had had more of an introduction to this part of history before I read this book; I found all the ins and outs confusing. The poetry was also not enough to distinguish between the different speakers for me. But the poetry was beautiful and conveyed the emotions of this time amazingly well. The historical notes at the end were helpful as well.
mollywetta's review
4.0
This series of interlocking poems form a story, told from different characters point of view: Lieutenant Death, the slave catcher, and Rosa, a healer, are the main voices, but there are also poems told from the point of view of Jose, a freed slave who rosa agrees to marry Rosa, Lieutenant-General Valeriano Weyler y Nicoulau, and Silvia, a girl whose parents are sick.
The stark, blank verse is arresting and powerful. Each character has a distinct voice and each piece contributes to the overall story, which is an important one.
When I was in graduate school, I worked as a research assistant for a professor writing about women in Cuba’s liberation movements throughout history, so I am more aware of this time period than perhaps an average reader since I spent 20 hours a week reading primary source documents, many of which related to the Spanish-American War, but I still felt this collection of poetry gave me new insight into the time period. It’s the depth of the characters that truly brings this story to life. Jose and Rosa, in particular, were inspiring in their actions and in the way they related to one another:
Jose and I are both learning / How to learn. (p. 42)
Historical realities of war are not always the easiest concepts to introduce to younger readers. As much as our lives are saturated with war, it’s simultaneously removed from most people’s daily struggles. Engle’s stark imagery captures the personal aspect of war.
War is like the game of gallina ciega, blind hen. / We hide. they seek. (p. 134)
The grim reality is that today, this still rings true:
Our Cuban flag/Is still forbidden (p. 156)
Margarita Engle’s The Surrender Tree is a beautifully rendered history of Cuba’s struggle for independence. The blank, sparse verse will captivate readers.
The stark, blank verse is arresting and powerful. Each character has a distinct voice and each piece contributes to the overall story, which is an important one.
When I was in graduate school, I worked as a research assistant for a professor writing about women in Cuba’s liberation movements throughout history, so I am more aware of this time period than perhaps an average reader since I spent 20 hours a week reading primary source documents, many of which related to the Spanish-American War, but I still felt this collection of poetry gave me new insight into the time period. It’s the depth of the characters that truly brings this story to life. Jose and Rosa, in particular, were inspiring in their actions and in the way they related to one another:
Jose and I are both learning / How to learn. (p. 42)
Historical realities of war are not always the easiest concepts to introduce to younger readers. As much as our lives are saturated with war, it’s simultaneously removed from most people’s daily struggles. Engle’s stark imagery captures the personal aspect of war.
War is like the game of gallina ciega, blind hen. / We hide. they seek. (p. 134)
The grim reality is that today, this still rings true:
Our Cuban flag/Is still forbidden (p. 156)
Margarita Engle’s The Surrender Tree is a beautifully rendered history of Cuba’s struggle for independence. The blank, sparse verse will captivate readers.
crrybbycancerr's review
5.0
I’m really grateful I decided to listen to this on audible. I have been trying to read as many books by Latinx authors before I go on my trip to Colombia. This story gave me a better understanding on the Spanish American war and more importantly the Cuban fight for freedom. It was very interesting getting a different perspective from the one I was taught in school. I would say this should be required reading. It brings up a lot of historical characters their accomplishments and failures and how instrumental they were in the Cuban revolution it also brings about voices of those who normally get left out of the history books. Very educational and not in a stuffy way it was fascinating.
akublik's review
4.0
A lovely verse novel - powerful language and story. This is the first book I've read by Margarita Engle and I will be looking for more.
bookcub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
melinda1962's review against another edition
4.0
The characters in this free verse poetry are actual historical figures during the three decades of war in Cuba from 1868-1898. I knew nothing of the Spanish occupation of Cuba and found this an interesting read to a bit of that history. Including one of the world's first concentration camps.
sandlerpage's review
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5. I really like books written in verse, but this one didn’t feel quite like it fit. It just felt a bit forced. But the history and characters were interesting, and it was compelling.
caitcoy's review
3.0
The Surrender Tree is a quick but intriguing story that introduces readers to a young Cuban woman named Rosa who only wants to heal the injured and the sick. The story follows Rosa through all three of Cuba's wars for independence and covers Rosa's life as a result. Rosa is simply trying to help the injured but because she helps the rebels as well, her life is forfeit if the Spaniards ever catch her. As a result, Rosa must move constantly to escape detection. The story focuses on Rosa's life when she was still a slave and had to help a slave catcher, her attempts to heal any in need of help as Cuba fights first Spain for independence and then the United States, and her final hope for peace. The entire book is written in verse and from multiple perspectives so it's gives a more well-rounded view of the conflicts. It's well-written and intriguing so I'd certainly recommend it to teens interested in Cuban history and poetry.
rlafleur85's review
2.0
This was an interesting collection of poems. I appreciated how each poem was identified by the speaker's name listed as the title. The book provided several vantage points around Cuban slaves, Spaniards, and others helping people, because they are people.