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Introduction:

I enjoyed reading my second of Elizabeth Acevedo’s fictional novels ‘Clap When You Land’. 

About the Author: 

ELIZABETH ACEVEDO is a New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X, With the Fire on High, and Clap When You Land.

Acevedo includes her Dominican family’s African heritage in her writing and focuses on exploring the importance of young Afro-Latinas in her writing. This focus is a natural one for the author, whose writing is lived-in and comfortable and her descriptions are detailed and precise.

Taken From The Book:

“I know too much of mud. 

I know that when a street doesn’t have sidewalks

& water rises to flood the tile floors of your home, 

learning mud is learning the language of survival.”

On page one Acevedo throws us into a beautiful description of mud during the rainy season in the Dominican Republic; but also introduces us into the culture which leaves it’s impression on you.

Summary:

‘Clap When You Land’ follows the story of two girls, Camino and her sister Yahaira. When their father dies in the American Airlines flight 587, they start to uncover their fathers secrets. Both girls are devastated by the loss of their father, but soon after they find out about each other.

⁣Characters:

Camino dreams of going to college in New York to study medicine, but hasn’t got enough money to do so. And without the protection her father provides, Camino will also be threatened by a danger that circles closer.

Yahaira discovered one of her fathers secrets before he died. Feeling angry and betrayed, she tried to push him away but now that he’s gone she feels guilty and struggles to cope without her hero.

“Papi will have two funerals.

Papi will have two ceremonies.

Papi will be mourned in two countries.
Papi will be said goodbye to here & there.

Papi had two lives.
Papi has two daughters.

Papi was a man split in two,
playing a game against himself.

But the problem with that
is that in order to win, you also always lose.”


⁣If you’ve ever been hurt or lied to by someone who you trusted, then you’ll share the heartbreak these sisters experience when they learn of each others existence. It’s a shocking discovery but also a relationship they both need which might ultimately save them both.⁣

Writing:

Acevedo’s writing is whimsical and poetic, capturing the raw and authentic emotions and experiences of the characters she conveys. ‘Clap When You Land’ is told in verse, which I really enjoyed as it’s something you don’t see a lot of in contemporary fiction. This style of writing might not be for everyone though, so take this into account before you dive in.

Overall:

Another stunning book by Acevedo, she has once again proven herself to be a literary Queen and deserves every bit of praise she receives

Trigger Warning: 

Stalking, Sexual assault, loss of a parent

Disclaimer: 

I purchased this book with my own funds with no expectation of a positive review from the author or publisher.

Tell Me:

Have you read ‘Clap When You Land’? What are your thoughts on it?

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