Scan barcode
A review by magsapt
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Acevedo always writes about deep, uncomfortable subjects that most YA authors try to steer away of. She takes the bull by the horns and does not hesitate: no taboo topics, no smoothing things over and no awkwardness. Acevedo writes unapologetically about whatever it is she wants to talk about.
On 'With The Fire On High', it is mostly race, parenthood and feminism, subjects that are also the main focus of 'Clap When You Land' (one of my favourite books of 2021).
Our main character, Emoni, is the daughter of a Puerto Rican man and an African American woman, raised by her boricua grandmother. Since her father is absent and her mother has died during childbirth, Emoni is constantly searching for her roots, which she mainly achieves with cooking, a gift she had since being a toddler.
Acevedo addresses the issues mixed kids have fitting into a world so obsessed with labels, while at the same time declaring that all that should matter is how they view themselves and want to be viewed by others. One person doesn't belong to a single box - one is multiple and must find comfort in thal multiplicity. If there's no box for you, you must create one for yourself instead of forcing yourself to fit into something that doesn't entirely fulfil you.
Cue the expectations society has for women and how we force ourselves to have those too instead of being and doing whatever we want.
When she got pregnant, Emoni wanted to have her baby even though she was just sixteen. She had to deal with her colleagues' stares and snickers while at the same time dealing with her fears towards her future. Acevedo shows us the tip of the iceberg that is being a teenage mom and having to put your dreams on hold to raise your child because women can't still have it all. They must always sacrifice something of themselves for other people. The perfect example is 'Buela, who raised her child, her granddaughter and now her great-granddaughter, leaving her happiness to last.
What mechanisms does society have in place to help these women? What happens to women less enthusiastic than Emoni? Does society let those women's dreams to rot?
And how do men keep on getting away with everything? When will we attribute them responsibility and ask them what is demanded of us? Or better yet, when will they stop asking us to do things none of them would be willing to do?
The only trouble I had with this book was the pace. Sometimes things happened too quickly, other times too slowly. I also found it more predictable than 'Clap When You Land'.
It's still a 4-star read and I can't wait to try the recipes Acevedo shared with us!
On 'With The Fire On High', it is mostly race, parenthood and feminism, subjects that are also the main focus of 'Clap When You Land' (one of my favourite books of 2021).
Our main character, Emoni, is the daughter of a Puerto Rican man and an African American woman, raised by her boricua grandmother. Since her father is absent and her mother has died during childbirth, Emoni is constantly searching for her roots, which she mainly achieves with cooking, a gift she had since being a toddler.
Acevedo addresses the issues mixed kids have fitting into a world so obsessed with labels, while at the same time declaring that all that should matter is how they view themselves and want to be viewed by others. One person doesn't belong to a single box - one is multiple and must find comfort in thal multiplicity. If there's no box for you, you must create one for yourself instead of forcing yourself to fit into something that doesn't entirely fulfil you.
Cue the expectations society has for women and how we force ourselves to have those too instead of being and doing whatever we want.
When she got pregnant, Emoni wanted to have her baby even though she was just sixteen. She had to deal with her colleagues' stares and snickers while at the same time dealing with her fears towards her future. Acevedo shows us the tip of the iceberg that is being a teenage mom and having to put your dreams on hold to raise your child because women can't still have it all. They must always sacrifice something of themselves for other people. The perfect example is 'Buela, who raised her child, her granddaughter and now her great-granddaughter, leaving her happiness to last.
What mechanisms does society have in place to help these women? What happens to women less enthusiastic than Emoni? Does society let those women's dreams to rot?
And how do men keep on getting away with everything? When will we attribute them responsibility and ask them what is demanded of us? Or better yet, when will they stop asking us to do things none of them would be willing to do?
The only trouble I had with this book was the pace. Sometimes things happened too quickly, other times too slowly. I also found it more predictable than 'Clap When You Land'.
It's still a 4-star read and I can't wait to try the recipes Acevedo shared with us!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Bullying