A review by pelumitowuru
Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky

dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

A quick read. Deaf Republic for a long time has been one of those collections I see in web weaving posts but never got the chance to read like Siken or Vuong. However, very different from these poets, Kaminsky writes a book about resistance and resistance against listening, against hearing, against obedience. Which one came first, silence or the words. Neither matters but the strength of what they can do. Silence is the passive resistance, and it is the building of more. Sure no one will talk to hear the stories but the silence exists as more than medium for survival. It is life