Review: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Jess G. Reads

Mar 6, 20212 min read

Updated: Jun 9, 2021

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜

Title: The Poet X

Author: Elizabeth Acevedo

Genre: Fiction/Poetry

Author Info: She/Her.

Setting: NYC

Month Read: February, 2021

Book Type: Paperback

Publication: 2018

Pages: 368

TRIGGER WARNING-

Abuse/Religion/Sexual themes/Family

"When I'm told to have faith in the father the son in men and men are the first ones

to make me feel so small.

That's when I feel like a fake.

Because I nod, and clap, and "Amen" and "Aleluya,"

all the while feeling like this house his house

is no longer one I want to rent."

No Spoiler Summary:

A young Dominican-American girl, Xiomara, finds her voice, passion, and strength throughout this beautiful book of poetry by writing in her journal.

A normally quiet girl who'd prefer to use her fists than her words, finds truth and conviction putting the thoughts she cannot say out loud to her strict, religious mother into pages that only she reads.

The Poet X is a compelling novel written about family dynamics, religion, hopes & dreams mixed with following your own voice and leading the life you dare to dream- not the one that has been dreamed for you.

Review:

I loved this book- written in a verse format like that of Ellen Hopkins, with strong themes, strong language, and an even stronger lead character- Xiomara compels you to keep turning the page to hear her fears, desires, truths, and guilt throughout the 386 pages.

A book you can read in a sitting, or in a day- The Poet X is a tour de force, and you learn why Elizabeth Acevedo is frequently included in author lists with the likes of Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, and Jason Reynolds.

Her writing is magnificent, her characters are flawed, real, and unapologetic. I found myself frequently taking out my Google translate (this book is bilingual in Spanish & English- and there isn't always a translation written) which I loved.

I loved the spiritual journey Xiomara takes us through during the novel- from her mother who wanted nothing more to be a Nun, to her trying to figure out if religion was for her- it really makes you think about the differences between Mother & Daughter, the gaps between generations, the differences between growing up in a religious country vs. growing up on the streets of New York.

Recommendation:

I highly recommend reading THE POET X- it's different, and necessary.

If you like books written in verse you should definitely check out:

Ellen Hopkins (Burned is a personal YA favorite)

Rupi Kuar.

If you like strong female characters Angie Thomas is brilliant. If you can't get enough of New York- check out What If It's Us? or They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist or Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan.