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*The New York Times Book Review* has praised Alvarez’s fiction as “powerful... beautifully captures the experience of the new immigrant’s doorway where a memory is not yet the past and the future is still a dream.” anxious; These same qualities characterize her poetry—from the “Making Up the Past” poems, which explore a life of exile as lived by a young girl, to “The Joe Poems,” a series of beautifully sensual and funny love poems that celebrate a middle-aged romance. The collection culminates in the poem of the title: the twenty-one-part epic about the poet’s return to her native Dominican Republic, and to the internal affirmation of the conflict and the last one that the trip caused. Innovation and bold invention, the interaction of sound, the senses, and the rhythm of two languages, all characterize Julia Alvarez’s art in transforming precious memory into unforgettable poetry.
A poet confronts her dual identity and the ghosts of her homeland. Alvarez's collection navigates the liminal space of the immigrant experience, where memory and reality blur. Through poems exploring exile, love, and return, she grapples with the complexities of her heritage, particularly during a pivotal journey back to the Dominican Republic. The work is characterized by its innovative use of language, rhythm, and sensory detail, bridging two cultures and languages.
This collection is lauded for its powerful portrayal of the immigrant experience, capturing the delicate balance between past and future. Critics have noted Alvarez's ability to beautifully articulate the feelings of displacement and homecoming. The poetry is recognized for its sensual and humorous elements, as well as its profound engagement with memory and identity. The titular poem, an epic return to the Dominican Republic, is highlighted for its exploration of internal conflict and affirmation, showcasing Alvarez's masterful command of language and rhythm across two languages.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
1996-01-01
ISBN-10:
0452273412
ISBN-13:
9780452273412
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