A review by celadon
Resistencia: Poems of Protest and Revolution by Julia Alvarez
5.0
I have to say, this might be one of my favorite poetry anthologies of all time.
Resistencia takes poets from the Latine diaspora and presents one poem from each of them. It is only the beginning for reading work from the diaspora, but it gives you a wide, fruitful taste. It’s worth looking into individual artists (I will when I get a chance) but this is the perfect introduction, an amuse-bouche so to speak.
The poems were translated into English, most of them originating in Spañish. But others were translated from French, Portuguese, Mayan, and other indigenous dialects too. I savored reading them in Spañish, with English as a guide. The words rolled off my tongue beautifully when I read aloud, filling me with a simmering warmth. I have so much more appreciation for the poems because I could read them in their mother tongue.
This is an essential read for poetry lovers, those who want to expand their lexicon of reading, or just want something different from conventional English literature.
It is a warcry of a book, a bold compilation that burns with fury, and thrills with passion. From poems political, social, and intimate, Resistencia has it all. It forces you to stare unblinking at the bones that our civilization is built on. Compels you to reimagine, rebuild, and rebirth ourselves once more. Who can start the avalanche of change better than the activists in this book?
Resistencia takes poets from the Latine diaspora and presents one poem from each of them. It is only the beginning for reading work from the diaspora, but it gives you a wide, fruitful taste. It’s worth looking into individual artists (I will when I get a chance) but this is the perfect introduction, an amuse-bouche so to speak.
The poems were translated into English, most of them originating in Spañish. But others were translated from French, Portuguese, Mayan, and other indigenous dialects too. I savored reading them in Spañish, with English as a guide. The words rolled off my tongue beautifully when I read aloud, filling me with a simmering warmth. I have so much more appreciation for the poems because I could read them in their mother tongue.
This is an essential read for poetry lovers, those who want to expand their lexicon of reading, or just want something different from conventional English literature.
It is a warcry of a book, a bold compilation that burns with fury, and thrills with passion. From poems political, social, and intimate, Resistencia has it all. It forces you to stare unblinking at the bones that our civilization is built on. Compels you to reimagine, rebuild, and rebirth ourselves once more. Who can start the avalanche of change better than the activists in this book?