Poet X (audiobook)

 

My Thoughts:

This novel in verse audiobook is read by the poet herself. I have been honest about not enjoying audiobooks, but audiobooks read by the poet, or audiobooks with poetic language paired with a powerful narrator are the exception. In fact, this audiobook is BETTER than reading the novel with my own voice in my head. Centripetal novels in verse that can follow or precede this one: House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros; Home is Not a Country, Safia Elhillo; The Girl in the Moon Circle Sia Figiel; When We Make It Elisabet Velasquez.

The character, having to face her growing sexuality and objectification rises before our eyes as priestess, warrior goddess, destructive poetess. The relationship with her brother/twin is so honest and lovely. He is the whisper, she is the hurricane. 

The language is beautiful and haunting. I found myself pushing the narrative back 15 seconds so I can hear an image again. Definitely a sign of fabulous writing spoken into existence. Because I have the audiobook and not the words, I don't know where the line breaks are, but this image haunts me:

Sometimes it seems like writing is the only way I keep from hurting - Xiomara Batista

From the Publisher:

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about.

With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

Author, Narrator: Elizabeth Acevedo

Publisher: Quill Books

Audiobook release: March 6, 2018