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A review by sheryl_macca
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Acevedo's The Poet X was my first poetic prose book so, for me, Acevedo set the bar. I have since read and enjoyed Sarah Crossan's One but Acevedo will always be my first love when it comes to novels in verse.
Clap When You Land is a real punch of emotion. The themes are weighty, complicated and as old as time but this format offers a modern and unique perspective, a new way of understanding such complex topics.
The book straddles two countries and their different cultures beautifully by highlighting the similarities but not shying away from the differences. Two young women are our protagonists, their very different lives are both affected by the same tragedy, a plane crash where there are no survivors. They each deal with their grief with a maturity beyond their years and learn a lot from each other as they reflect on their past, present and future.
Acevedo gives you an access all areas pass to the thoughts and emotions of her characters but she does so more with what she leaves unsaid. I love this technique, it's well used of course, but Clap When You Land is a masterclass in how to use it to maximum effect.
The novel in verse is the perfect vehicle to explore a large number of issues in a condensed way. Clap When You Land is powerful and effective in its examination of relative poverty, ambition and opportunity, LGBTQIA+ relationships, diverse families, health inequalities, sexual assaults, deceit and death of loved ones.
I cannot fault this book, it makes me excited to read more of this format.
Clap When You Land is a real punch of emotion. The themes are weighty, complicated and as old as time but this format offers a modern and unique perspective, a new way of understanding such complex topics.
The book straddles two countries and their different cultures beautifully by highlighting the similarities but not shying away from the differences. Two young women are our protagonists, their very different lives are both affected by the same tragedy, a plane crash where there are no survivors. They each deal with their grief with a maturity beyond their years and learn a lot from each other as they reflect on their past, present and future.
Acevedo gives you an access all areas pass to the thoughts and emotions of her characters but she does so more with what she leaves unsaid. I love this technique, it's well used of course, but Clap When You Land is a masterclass in how to use it to maximum effect.
The novel in verse is the perfect vehicle to explore a large number of issues in a condensed way. Clap When You Land is powerful and effective in its examination of relative poverty, ambition and opportunity, LGBTQIA+ relationships, diverse families, health inequalities, sexual assaults, deceit and death of loved ones.
I cannot fault this book, it makes me excited to read more of this format.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief
Minor: Cancer and Blood