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lsparrow's review against another edition
1.0
not so into the poems - not sure if it is the style or the obsession with baseball
themed around the portarican experience
themed around the portarican experience
richardwells's review against another edition
4.0
No bullshit. Martin Espada is a poet who overthrows the pretensions of poetry, and brings us "news that stays news." He's been at it for awhile, and he's totally trustworthy.
joshgauthier's review against another edition
5.0
I set out just read a few poems to start with; fast-forward and I finished the book in one sitting. Sad, tragic, humorous, inspiring - these poems range from social issues past and present, to amusing reflections on work and culture, to memories of love and loss. Both global and deeply personal, this collection ultimately speaks to some of the core elements of human experience - not through grand philosophizing but, as is the way of poetry, through the immediate and potent emotions of our daily lives.
kiramke's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautiful tribute to those who fight. I am also impressed by how well they work both individually and as a collection.
madsthehatter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
jrowe93's review against another edition
4.0
Fiery, blistering with color and detail. One of Espanda's best works.
hannahlee's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
A moving and loving series of poems reflecting on politics, history, and Espada's father, and how wrapped up in one another all those subjects are. Espada's title is a line from Whitman, and he clearly draws much inspiration from that poet's broad, open-armed attitudes and celebratory style. Well worth a read.
nycsquirrel's review against another edition
5.0
I heard Martin Espada speak on a Puerto Rican panel at the PEN World Voices Festival and knew I needed to read his work. This collection provides eulogies to revolutionaries who found a short life to their important work, and to his father who inspired his son and community. Espada's words are grounded and yet flow with an elegance befitting the respect given to lives lost.
francomega's review
5.0
I always feel the need to qualify my review of poetry by saying I'm no expert, but ultimately that's not really what poetry is about, is it? It's about emotion and these poems were powerful for me. Free verse odes to the powerless, the working class, those who stand up for what they believe and for those who can't stand up for themselves. It's revolutionary humanism.