A review by brnineworms
Nepantla: An Anthology Dedicated to Queer Poets of Color by Christopher Soto

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Every poem in this anthology is moving and powerful in its own way. Some are harrowing gut punches, while others are more gentle and contemplative. The variety is certainly a boon.

I can’t rate each poem individually because there are so many of them, but some of my favourites were The [Black]Outs: Listen by Steffan Triplett, Actually, Yes, Everything is About Race by Madison Johnson, Untitled (Destroying Flesh) by Juliana Huxtable, and Boy in a Stolen Evening Gown by Saeed Jones.

I’m speechless. I wish I had something profound to say, some astute insight. I suppose the poems speak for themselves, so all I can do is give a recommendation. Five stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Police brutality, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Murder, Hate crime, Child death, Death, Blood, Terminal illness, Cursing, and Grief

Moderate: Antisemitism, Genocide, Suicide, Cancer, Ableism, and Animal death

Minor: Slavery, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Car accident