lauraღ's Reviews > The Poet X

Every now and then, I dress my thoughts in the clothing of a poem. Try to figure out if my world changes once I set down these words.

3.5 stars. A lightning-quick but super impactful read, following a young girl and her growing relationship with her family, a new love, poetry, and herself. I loved that it discussed what an alienating experience it can be, growing into your body and finding that so many people, especially men, suddenly feel free to comment upon it. It's also a great look at what happens when you start questioning the mores and doctrines you grew up with, and what it's like having a complicated and tenuous relationship with your parents. The poetry in this was really really beautiful, so lyrical, and it blows me away that Acevedo took some of it from her actual teenage journals; they were so good. Poetry can be incredibly healing, and I loved Xiomara's journey in learning that. Novels in verse just have a vibe that I love, and it's always great reading about people descended from the Caribbean diaspora. Some parts of it were very YA in ways that just weren't for me, and I do wish that some things hadn't been wrapped up quite so neatly. (Especially with her mother.) But I found it a super enjoyable read, all told.

Content warnings: (view spoiler)[sexual harassment, parental abuse (hide spoiler)]