Reviews with content warning for Racism - Clap When You Land

I wasn't a huge fan of Acevedo's first novel in verse, which was about poetry itself, but freed from the conceit of poetry about poetry, her writing soars in CLAP WHEN YOU LAND. The descriptions of Puerto Plata are immersive, the characters are richly drawn and even characters like Papi, whose deception touches off the plot, and Wilson, who asks for money, are treated with compassion and love, and the difference of opportunity between two sisters living in different countries, with different citizenship papers, is stark. Some themes, like (trigger warning)

Yahaira's reaction to her assault and her sexuality

, are not explored as deeply as I would like, and it seems that Camino gets the bulk of the character development and change. But overall, this is a hugely moving, rich, and satisfying story.

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foreverinastory's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was so good.

Rep: Dominican-American lesbian female MC, Dominican female MC, BIPOC sapphic female side character, Dominican and Dominican-American side characters.

CWs: Death of parent, sexual assault, grief, death, stalking, infidelity, sexual violence, sexual harassment, pregnancy & birth on page, sexism, violence, parental abandonment, plane crash (not on page but discussed), misogyny, racism, xenophobia. Moderate: medical content, cancer, cursing, pedophilia, rape, panic attack. Minor: Drug use, trafficking, vomit, police brutality, blood.

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books_in_a_basket's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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izzydelaya's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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malloryfitz's review against another edition

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3.75

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diammendes's review

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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jessspeake's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was phenomenal.

I've disliked the audiobooks I've read recently, and wondered if maybe I wasn't a fan of the audiobook format. However, this book made it clear it's not the format I didn't like before, but the writing. Thank goodness, Elizabeth Acevedo's writing is magical.

Absolutely magical. She writes with such a deep reverence for her characters, and a true understanding of the written word. I can't imagine ever being able to assemble sentences as beautifully as she does. She is an artist.

Books written in verse have always intimidated me, so I thought listening to the audio would be an easier way for me to take in her words. While I highly recommend the audio, I also wish I could read this book again for the first time, as a physical copy. I have no doubt I will get so much from a second read, but I wish I could experience it again for the first time.

The characters in this book were incredibly lovable, and my this story made my heart ache for them.

I consider this book to be heart-wrenching, but not heart-breaking. In so many ways, my heart broke for everyone involved. But in just as many ways, the love and compassion that permeated this book stitched my heart back together again.

So, I cannot say my heart was broken. In fact, in reading this story about finding (and losing) family, Elizabeth Acevedo has expanded my heart and filled me with tender love and hope.

If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. There are not words to describe what a truly beautiful book this is.

Content Warnings

ncoletti's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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