A review by emilyinherhead
Citizen Illegal by José Olivarez

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

5.0

These poems are loving, genuine, curious, smart—they delve into the complicated space between different cultures and different homes, wondering what it means to belong, asking questions that might not have answers. But they still feel welcoming and accessible. Jose Olivarez has a wonderful way of writing that I can’t wait to read more of.

…if you catch my mom
in good light, it’s impossible to tell where the sun ends.

(from “The Voice in My Head Speaks English Now,” 10)

…the bad news is the economists say there is zero
economic value on our block. the good news is
we threw away the economics textbooks.

(from “Gentification,” 64)