aliciaprettybrowneyereader's review
4.0
First of all the cover for this collection is eye-catching with so many vibrant colors. The poet is a native of Los Angeles. In the collection she tells the story of her family’s immigration from El Salvador. She infuses English and Spanish in the poems so that they feel authentic to what she is describing. The English language is personified as an adversary throughout the collection. The poems that focus on family are universal. Readers can feel a connection to the familial relationships described.
My favorite poem is To the Eldest Daughter. It is a tribute to an older sister. Being an older sister, I know the sacrifices we make for younger siblings. Nice to have a poem that honors our place in the family. Great collection!
agnessastre's review
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this poetry book. I was captivated by the exploration of the English language, both of a language of empire and power but also as the tool used for storytelling, communicating with family members, writing poetry, and gaining access to scholarships and education.
hoatzin's review
Favorites: Rain, When The Death Squads Come, Tío Toño is Ready to Die, How English Came to Me
carolynschaf's review
4.0
I liked this a lot! I loved the style and highlighted passages I enjoyed, but I don't think I understand poetry well yet
lauren_endnotes's review
LINEAGE OF RAIN by Janel Pineda, 2021 from Haymarket Books
What a fantastic collection - only a 40 page chapbook, and every poem shines.
Diasporic Salvadoran poetry with themes relating to her parents' migration, war, English language acquisition, and relationship with her grandmother.
From RAIN ...
//
a Salvadoran woman once wrote that
our poetry has never had the luxury of being enamored with the moon.
perhaps this is why all my poems are about the sun,
about coming from women who have survived by chasing it,
women who go only where the light will feed them,
women who leave the second they suspect a flood.
//
What a fantastic collection - only a 40 page chapbook, and every poem shines.
Diasporic Salvadoran poetry with themes relating to her parents' migration, war, English language acquisition, and relationship with her grandmother.
From RAIN ...
//
a Salvadoran woman once wrote that
our poetry has never had the luxury of being enamored with the moon.
perhaps this is why all my poems are about the sun,
about coming from women who have survived by chasing it,
women who go only where the light will feed them,
women who leave the second they suspect a flood.
//
bookish_spren's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
ivanainthecity's review
In LINEAGE OF RAIN, Salvadoran American poet Jannel Pineda reflects on the events that brought her family and others in the Salvadoran diaspora to the U.S. and shows us that she is not defined by her trauma.
2treads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
- To ask your name is to ask your life - excerpt from When the Death Squads Came.
I love how Pineda weaves in the many ways rain can be used metaphorically to signify loss, love, gain, family, immigration, bigotry, and opportunity.
Her poems centre family and stories, tells of experiences that have shaped them both in their homeland and in a new land.
The poems are simple in delivery but the message hits deep with a poignancy that had me rereading every single one.
These words were laden with intent and therein lies the power with which they transmit Pineda's experiences, they resonate gently and with fire, speaking to a land where there exists pain, struggle, and injustices; yet where love, family and perseverance thrive.
my nails bite into monstrous men and make them mad. They ask for it, their deaths— something about how they walked into their wives fist-first, or lost their hands up someone’s skirt. I come to them dream-like, at first, tell them to find me at the finca’s edge. They always come looking for me. As if they don’t know what’s coming. - excerpt from When the Men Come Looking
The facets of country and people shine through these poems.
I love how Pineda weaves in the many ways rain can be used metaphorically to signify loss, love, gain, family, immigration, bigotry, and opportunity.
Her poems centre family and stories, tells of experiences that have shaped them both in their homeland and in a new land.
The poems are simple in delivery but the message hits deep with a poignancy that had me rereading every single one.
These words were laden with intent and therein lies the power with which they transmit Pineda's experiences, they resonate gently and with fire, speaking to a land where there exists pain, struggle, and injustices; yet where love, family and perseverance thrive.
my nails bite into monstrous men and make them mad. They ask for it, their deaths— something about how they walked into their wives fist-first, or lost their hands up someone’s skirt. I come to them dream-like, at first, tell them to find me at the finca’s edge. They always come looking for me. As if they don’t know what’s coming. - excerpt from When the Men Come Looking
The facets of country and people shine through these poems.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence