Clap When You Land- ARC Review*
Hello there curious soul! 👋
I wonder if you're familial with the concept of clapping when you land. I guess you probably do. I sure had to find out through experience. But no matter, you'll just have to wait until the book explains it all. Which brings me to...
I finally got my favourite book of 2020 (so far)!
This wonderful novel in verse set between New York and the Dominican Republic is all about families; lost, found, unconventional, real.
Premise:
Following the tragic plane crash that resulted in their father's death, Camino and Yahaira have to come to terms with the aftermath of losing their dad and finding a sister they didn't know existed.
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This novel is about two young girls describing the father they know from their perspective, a father shared for reasons that they both didn't know. A Papi there for them but often away and how that related to their upbringing and experiences in life. It was so impactful and emotionally charged.
I was very surprised at how both protagonists seem to think they had known a different father, because as a reader that gets to experience both of their perspectives, I could very much picture the same man, understand that they were talking about the same person. Each information they shared about their father did not feel out of character- more to the point, it gave him flesh and bones and soul. He was the figure we don't get to meet, but only know through other people's stories. Doomed to his death, yet celebrated through memory. I am partial to books that paint a character in such a way, a focal point to the story yet his viewpoint unavailable to the reader.
Check out the author, Elizabeth Acevedo, talk about Clap When You Land, why she writes young adult books and the adaptation of one of her novels!
Having read the synopsis I was aware that the father's death is the match that lights the fire.
And yet the first few pages had me forget about it and it hurt all over again when I was reading about it.
The rawness and pure sentiment in every word of this story made me realise early on that this book would be one of the best literary journeys I've witnessed.
In the beginning, we see Camino rejecting the idea of a plane crashing with her father aboard. I could feel her pain and relate to her experience, even though this has not happened to me. This can't be happening to me, she thinks. No, no I must have got it wrong. THEY must have made a mistake.
Elizabeth Acevedo takes us on a tour of New York, one of the places where Clap When You Land is set:
I found myself reading the text out loud, slightly bobbing my head, finding the best and rhythm and pulse of this story, drifting away to lands I have never known.
I also started learning Spanish during the time I was reading Clap When You Land and the Latinx representation with Spanish words and phrases dispersed throughout the book elevated the reading experience for me.
-Here is the Spotify playlist I was listening to while reading this book.An excerpt of Clap When You Land, read by the author herself:
Get it, buy it, read it! I know I want to check out anything and everything Acevedo has given us (there's an adaptation of her novel With The Fore Oh High in the works, I'm sizzling with excitement!)
Content warnings included but not limited to: Death, sexual assault.
Bonus author content!
Check out this interview with Elizabeth Acevedo in celebration of Clap When You Land on Perolike:
And that's it from me, love! Till next time! 💋
Come chat with me in the comments:
- Have you read any books Elizabeth Acevedo books?
- Have you read any books in verse?
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