The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo – Thoughts

Bookish Discussion:

Have you ever felt that writing is therapeutic? That words have the power to change, inspire, break and give strength?

My thoughts on The Poet X:

I picked up this book to fulfil the ‘read a book by a Latinx author’ prompt for the Coffee Readathon. Also, I had been eyeing this book since ages and finally received it as a birthday present this year. I’m so glad I picked it up. However, after finishing the book in a record time of two days, I wanted to re-read it. But this time, I wanted to listen to Xiomara’s voice. I wanted to hear the pain and the angst. So, I’ve decided to listen to the audiobook version for the book as well. I need more goosebumps in my life.

The most surprising part about the book is the narrative style. I guess I can now comfortably throw out all traditional styles of writing a story out of the window. I’m actually really glad that writers are writing out of the box. It just enhances a reader’s experience tenfolds, and also opens up the joy of reading and learning from books to a wider audience. Books needn’t be boring or prose heavy anymore. Books can be written as a series of letters, or in a chronological series of slam poems, and still make a lasting impact on the reader’s mind.

I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing experience of my life. It has brought me the most light. And isn’t that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark…

Xiomara, from The Poet X

This is Xiomara’s story, but also the story of a lot of teenage girls. Xiomara has a lot of questions – about feminism and her faith. She has a lot of struggles – mostly with her absent father and her very strict mother. She has a best friend who couldn’t be more different than her, but supports her unconditionally. She has a twin brother who has secrets and struggles of his own but loves her. And then she has Aman, her love, who is full of flaws, but knows what Xiomara’s strengths are. But most importantly, she has her words. And through her words, her poems, she finds her place in the world, and fights, like the warrior she is meant to be.

I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to girls trying to find their place and voice in a society full of expectations and obligations.