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A review by citrus_seasalt
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
5.0
If I had no self-control I’d say THIS IS AMAZING!!, leave a couple keysmashes, ramble about a couple points I liked in an order that makes sense to only me, and end the review there. But I actually feel like writing a review to articulate why I loved this book, so, here we are!
As a novel in-verse, this was great. Acevedo’s experience with slam poetry executes the feel of this story much better than a more traditional, flowery poetry format ever could. As a character study, this was fantastic. Yahaira and Camino had their moments where their voices blended, however, the differences in their motivations was crystal clear—as well as how they viewed their relationship once they met. The facets of their grief were realistically written, offering an unflinching dissection that felt cathartic to read. I haven’t been this immersed in a book in a while—another reviewer described feeling like “a fly on the wall watching the characters”, and I 100% agree.
I didn’t know about flight AA587 until I read “Clap When You Land” and the author’s note, but it put me in the shoes of that community and gave me a feel for one part of the collective loss felt.
I felt for both protagonists left to process their anger and sadness without ever having an honest discussion with their father. I never had a father who cheats, but I have one that is dead, and left me with many emotional scars that I can never find closure on. To have that kind of grief be the centerpiece of a book plot brought tears to my eyes. I’m glad this exists.
As a novel in-verse, this was great. Acevedo’s experience with slam poetry executes the feel of this story much better than a more traditional, flowery poetry format ever could. As a character study, this was fantastic. Yahaira and Camino had their moments where their voices blended, however, the differences in their motivations was crystal clear—as well as how they viewed their relationship once they met. The facets of their grief were realistically written, offering an unflinching dissection that felt cathartic to read. I haven’t been this immersed in a book in a while—another reviewer described feeling like “a fly on the wall watching the characters”, and I 100% agree.
I didn’t know about flight AA587 until I read “Clap When You Land” and the author’s note, but it put me in the shoes of that community and gave me a feel for one part of the collective loss felt.
I felt for both protagonists left to process their anger and sadness without ever having an honest discussion with their father. I never had a father who cheats, but I have one that is dead, and left me with many emotional scars that I can never find closure on. To have that kind of grief be the centerpiece of a book plot brought tears to my eyes. I’m glad this exists.