Clap When You Land
Ratings150
Average rating4.2
Yet another, slow, un-engaging, not fun to read, verse novel bogged down by identity politics. I'm so sick of this! I absolutely love the idea behind verse novels, so why are they never fun and exciting?! When I read I want to escape reality – I can't be the only one! If I want a depressing story about abuse, sexual, drug, race or otherwise I'll watch the news. All I want is an exciting, fun, imaginative verse novel that's engaging to read. A Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Hunger Games kind of story told in verse! Surely it's not that hard! Verse is able to better capture different aspects of a story than prose. So why?
4,5*
I felt like the line with el cero was superfluous, but other than that, loved it <3
Grief is heavy on the page. This doesn't take away from it being a good book, it was just a lot for me.
Read for Missy Elliot Readathon Super Duper Fly
Initially this was a 4. After sitting with this read for a month, I have bumped it up to a 5. (3.18.2023)
If ever you need a rec for International Women's Month.. this would be it.
This book is about the many faces, the many roles and the many instances a woman has to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to get done. For individuals who wished these women explored grief more, I challenge you to re-read the book. Grief takes on many forms. Allow yourself to take these women in. These are the women I know.
What an incredible storyteller. i am so obsessed with Acevedo's writing style. This story was gut wrenching but the unity really shined through this all the way through. So glad I listened to this one. Definitely a story I wont forget.
3.5*
Sadly, this writing style is not for me. However, that does not mean this novel was bad or poorly written. It is definitely deserving of the praise it has received.
I snuffled and sniffled my way through the last 1/4 of this.
2 sisters who suddenly find out the other exists fight to overcome the death of their father and what his betrayal means for their futures.
It deals in love and loss, pain, betrayal, hope, dreams, family - blood, found, and true.
It's heartfelt, heartbreaking, hopeful and affirming. It's messy and complicated and stubborn and wonderful.
I'm So very pleased I read it
Runoilija Elizabeth Acevedo teki vaikutuksen esikoisteoksellaan. Säeromaani Runoilija X oli voimakas nuoren tytön kasvukertomus. Tyttöjen parissa Acevedo jatkaa edelleen. Maata jalkojen alle on tällä kertaa kahden nuoren tytön tarina.
Toinen tytöistä, Camino, asuu Dominikaanisessa tasavallassa tätinsä kanssa. Caminon äiti on kuollut jo aikaa sitten ja isä viettää suurimman osan vuodesta hankkimassa elantoaan New Yorkissa. Isän rahoilla Camino pystyy käymään kunnon koulua ja ainakin haaveilemaan lääkärinopinnoista Yhdysvalloissa. Enimmän osan vuodesta Camino joutuu kuitenkin vain odottamaan isän lyhyttä vierailua.
Yahaira puolestaan asuu New Yorkissa äitinsä ja isänsä kanssa. Yahairan isä pyörittää biljardisalia ja matkustaa aina kesäksi kotiseudulleen Dominikaaniseen tasavaltaan hoitamaan bisneksiään siellä. Yahaira on loistava shakinpelaaja ja rakastaa naapurissa asuvaa Dretä. Yahaira ei kuitenkaan ole puhunut isälleen sitten viime kesän, jolloin sai tietää, että isällä on bisnesten sijasta toinen vaimo Dominikaanisessa tasavallassa.
Tyttöjen elämää kohtaa kuitenkin maatajärisyttävä katastrofi. Caminon isä on tulossa taas käymään, mutta lentokentällä isän lennon numeron kohdalla taulu näyttää tyhjää. On tapahtunut kammottava lento-onnettomuus, jossa lentokone on pudonnut ja kaikki sen matkustajat ovat kuolleet.
Samalla lennolla oli myös Yahairan isä. Lento-onnettomuus sysää liikkeelle tapahtumaketjun, joka paljastaa kaikille, että tyttöjen isä on yksi ja sama mies, joka eli kaksoiselämää New Yorkin ja Dominikaanisen tasavallan välillä. Yahaira ja Camino saavat tietää toisistaan, joten tytöt yhtä aikaa menettävät isänsä ja saavat sisaren.
Kirjan taustalla on todellinen lento-onnettomuus. Marraskuussa 2001, vain kaksi kuukautta 9/11-iskujen jälkeen, American Airlinesin lento AA587 putosi pian lähdön jälkeen. Onnettomuus on Yhdysvaltojen ilmailuhistorian toiseksi pahin, ja siinä kuolivat kaikki koneen 260 matkustajaa. Kone oli matkalla Dominikaaniseen tasavaltaan ja matkustajista valtaosa oli dominikaanilaisia, joten onnettomuus oli kova isku New Yorkin dominikaanilaisyhteisölle. Onnettomuus on vaivannut Acevedoa lapsesta asti ja inspiroi tämän romaanin – vastaavanlaisia kaksoiselämän paljastumisia kantautui Acevedon korviin tuonkin onnettomuuden yhteydessä.
Maata jalkojen alle kertoo salaisuuksista, siitä miten ne vääjäämättä paljastuvat, eriarvoisuudesta, menetyksistä, surusta. Toisaalta isän kuolema ravistelee tyttöjen elämää myönteisestikin: he saavat tietää toisensa ja kipeiden salaisuuksien paljastuminen helpottaa lopulta elämää. Acevedo osoittaa myös hienosti valoa yhteiskunnallisiin ongelmiin, nuorten naisten osaan yhteisössä, perheen merkitykseen ja yksilöiden valintojen seurauksiin. Säeromaanina se on helppolukuinen, sujuvasti etenevä ja taitavasti aseteltu. Acevedo taitaa runomuodon ja suomentaja Leena Ojalatva on tehnyt sen kääntämisessä hyvää työtä.
On hienoa, että latinalaisamerikkalaista kulttuuria tuodaan näin helposti lähestyttävässä muodossa myös suomalaisille lukijoille, latinokulttuuri ei kuitenkaan ole erityisen tuttua Suomessa, vaikka amerikkalaista kulttuuria muuten joka tuutista puskeekin.
Goodreads needs a half star system! This read was a 4.5 for sure. Elizabeth has a way with words and every sentence flowed perfectly. I related to this story and this is possibly the only story where I could relate to both characters. Growing up hispanic, not knowing much spanish, being queer, secret sister... yes been there dealt with it! Elizabeth captures everything just perfectly. Words cannot describe how good this story was.
Why did I not give this 5 stars? Well Papi was a garbage human being. He had 2 families and treated his wife in NYC like trash. He literally only married her to prove he was good enough to marry the general's daughter. Really? What a scumbag. Also, these girls are weeping over him, wondering how he would have felt and thought. Who gives a shit about him? Trash human being. Most of the men (minus Nelson) were trash. Tio? Trash. You knew your brother was garbage and didn't tell him so? El Cero? MEGA TRASH.
I recommend 100% and I can't wait to read more of Elizabeth Acevedo's work.
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POPSUGAR 2021 READING CHALLENGE - A book about a subject you are passionate about • Sisterhood.
The audiobook is a great way to listen to the dual narration.
As someone who doesn't read a ton of YA, I was thrilled with the representation in this book. The subjects it dealt with especially the grief, betrayal and economic disparities between the families in the US vs DR were palpable.
I love that this is the quality of stories young adults have available to them these days.
Solid read. I usually am the person to immediately say fuck you to a dad who cheats and has a secret family. BUT I guess I never considered family being family, these sisters find each other. This is about their journey and I especially like how it shows both sides of their lives.
The audiobook is nicely done too!
If you are not from an island,you cannot understand what it means to be of water:to learn to curve around the bend, to learn to rise with rain,to learn to quench an outside thirstwhile all the whileyou grow shallowuntil there is not one dropleft for you.I know this is what Tia does not say. Sand & soil & sinew & smiles:all bartered. & who reaps? Who eats?Not us. Not me.
Gorgeous. As always, I am miles behind and am now intent on catching up with Acevedo's oeuvre.
Elizabeth Acevedo is one of the authors that I will drop everything else and read. This book was worth that and so much more. After The Fire on High, I didn't think I could love a character more than I love Emoni.
Then I was introduced to Camino and Yahaira. These two girls are so amazing. Their stories are compelling and emotional. These girls and those around them are complicated and full.
I am in awe of how much plot and emotion and culture and suspense Elizabeth Acevedo stuffed into these few words. In fact, there are a few words in this book that left me speechless. The end was hopeful and emotional.
I am doing a bad job reviewing this book, but it is just so good! Stop everything you are doing and read this.
Two different worlds, brought together by one man. One man who kept one world a secret from the other. A devastating plane crash brings secrets from dark to light and the two worlds collide.
What a great read. It hurts the heart, brings tears to the surface and is filled with such emotion you'd have to be dead to feel nothing.
Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing writer and is an auto-buy from now on. I love reading poetry. I love reading stories. She brings the two together in an engaging and beautiful way.
Initial Thoughts: not sure how I feel about this yet! While it made me feel a lot I'm not sure on some aspects like character definition, but also on the representation included in this (I need to do more research)
This is the first book this year that has moved me, that has made me emotional enough to cry.
This is a beautiful book, featuring a story-in-verse (something as a child I didn't like, as an adult it's something I appreciate and admire), about sisterhood, growing pains, and grief.
I love how Acevedo's words flowed seamlessly on the pages, smooth like gentle waves of the sea. I love how distinctive yet similar her two leads were to one other, and how she gave equal attention to their hurt, their passions, their fears, their anger, and their courage.
I love how this book grew out of a world that forgot a tragedy that happened shortly after 9/11, and how this book features a queer person of color (a timely read for the month of June), without making their identity the sole focus of their purpose in the tale, and instead allowing them to exist and be and love and grieve and dream just like any other protagonist.
I loved learning about a culture I had previously little knowledge of, and how this novel left me feeling both grateful and guilty for all the times I may have complained about life here, knowing privilege in ways I never realized.
Finally, I love Yahaira and Camino, and I couldn't help but smile as I closed the book, and hope and wishing and pray that their stories continue, their dreams come true, and that they will always land wherever life takes them.
***
I definitely recommend this book to folx seeking stories about BIPOC by BIPOC authors, how one navigates grief, or are curious and want to introduce themselves to the culture of the Dominican Republic.
Everything this woman writes is magic and I will not be told otherwise. Highly recommend the audio!
Of COURSE this is incredible. OF COURSE. No one writes mothers and daughters like Acevedo: Xiomara and her mom, Emoni and Babygirl, and now Yahaira and her mom, and Camino and her Tia. All of these relationships are so complex and so true.
Okay, this is my second Elizabeth Acevedo book and it won't be my last – I'm hoping to read With the Fire on High later this year but we will see. I will admit, I liked The Poet X more, but this book is still amazing.
So many emotions, beautiful words, and amazing characters. I can't pick a favorite between Camino and Yahaira because both sisters are amazing in their own way. The audiobook really brought forth their emotions and once again the narration is wonderful and so fun to listen to. This book really revolves around grief and how to deal with our emotions about people who have died– and how to move forward.
Seriously, give this one a listen!
cw: death of a loved one, grief, 2 families, flashback to sexual assault, attempted assault
4.5 but I'll rate it as a 5 here. The audiobook is EXCELLENT - Acevedo reads Yahaira (I could listen to her perform the phone book) and Melania-Luisa Marte holds her own reading Camino. As a novel in verse, the performance of the verses really lends emotional heft. Acevedo's characters are always so alive and vibrant, and within the context of her story she always hits universal themes: family obligation and the meaning of family, whether it's through blood or choice, what it means to be a teenage girl in the world and how you express “femaleness” in varying ways, voices and who is represented and has a right to be heard. My only minimal critique is that I wanted just a bit more before the book ended. It built to the meeting of the sisters, and a dramatic confrontation between a lurking pimp and all the women in this new family, but I wanted just a bit more expansion of their lives intersecting before the end. I love that Acevedo built this story around a real incident of a plane crash that didn't receive the national attention it should have - I had never heard about it until now.
JEEZ each of Elizabeth Acevedo's books just keep getting better and better??? And like the first one was already incredible? This is so lovely and complicated and messy and loving. (Also half of it takes place very near where I did my Peace Corps service so, you know, personal bonus points from me.)