The Wall

by Ilan Stavans

The Wall is a poetic exploration—across time, space, and language, real as well as metaphorical—of the U.S.-Mexican wall dividing the two civilizations, of similar walls (Jerusalem, China, Berlin, Warsaw, etc.) in history, and of the act of separating people by ideology, class, race, and other subterfuges. It is an indictment of hateful political rhetoric. In the spirit of Virgil’s Aeneid and Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Master, it gives voice in symphonic fashion to an assortment of participants (immigrants, border patrol, soldiers, activists, presidents, people dead and alive) involved in the debate on walls. It brings in elements of literature and pop culture, fashion and cuisine. Poetry becomes a tool to explore raw human emotions in all its extremes.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Ilan Stavans is the Lewis-Sebring Professor in Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College. An award-winning writer and public television host, his books include Growing Up Latino and Spanglish. A native of Mexico City, he lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Copy with letter and announcement of release date. Ilan's take on walls and their divisionary processes; from the simple to the cultural to the outlandish. The poetics used only heighten Prof. Stavans thoughts and cogitations.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems high school-ish to quote pink floyd and other singers. Doesnt come off as "original". If you only know English you wont know what some of it is saying....
Althoug, some of it is relatable. It being a quick read is a plus.

[Jessica]

“ Isn’t
information
like
oxygen?
It seeps
across
unimpeded,
fostering
dreams
of democracy. “