What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Pipirite Sings: Selected Poems
When the Pipirite Sings gathers poems by the noted Haitian poet, novelist, and neurologist Jean Métellus, who died in January 2014. Along with other signature works, this volume includes the first English translation of Métellus’s visionary epic poem, “Au pipirite chantant” (“When the Pipirite Sings”), widely regarded as his masterpiece.
Translated by formidable comparative literature scholar Haun Saussy, When the Pipirite Sings expresses an acute historical consciousness and engages recurrent Haitian themes—the wrenching impact of colonialism and underdevelopment, the purposes of education, and the merging of spiritual and temporal power. And, as always with Métellus’s poetry, the range of voices and points of view evokes other genres, including fiction and cinema. This eminently readable book has formal and thematic ties to Aimé Césaire’s Notebook of a Return to My Native Land, central to the canon of French-language postcolonial writings.
In addition to many books of poetry, Métellus published novels, chiefly about the remembered Haiti of his youth, and plays about the conquest of the Caribbean. His nonfiction included reflections on Haitian history and politics, on the iconography of slave emancipation, and studies of aphasia and dyslexia.
Translated by formidable comparative literature scholar Haun Saussy, When the Pipirite Sings expresses an acute historical consciousness and engages recurrent Haitian themes—the wrenching impact of colonialism and underdevelopment, the purposes of education, and the merging of spiritual and temporal power. And, as always with Métellus’s poetry, the range of voices and points of view evokes other genres, including fiction and cinema. This eminently readable book has formal and thematic ties to Aimé Césaire’s Notebook of a Return to My Native Land, central to the canon of French-language postcolonial writings.
In addition to many books of poetry, Métellus published novels, chiefly about the remembered Haiti of his youth, and plays about the conquest of the Caribbean. His nonfiction included reflections on Haitian history and politics, on the iconography of slave emancipation, and studies of aphasia and dyslexia.
- GenresPoetry
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2019
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Jean Métellus
43 books2 followersJean Metellus was a Haitian neurologist, poet, novelist and playwright.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 15, 2019
Once the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Haiti was home to revered poet and neurologist Jean Métellus; this book opens with When the Piprite Sings, widely known as his masterwork with this being the first time it's been translated from French into English, forty years after it was originally published. Each poem is infused with Haitian culture and Mr Métellus' nostalgia and longing for his homeland which felt sincere and authentic. Saint-Domingue became known as the "Pearl of the Antilles" – one of the wealthiest of France's colonies, producing vast quantities of sugar and coffee and depended on a brutal slave system for the necessary labor. Inspired by the message of the French Revolution, Haitian slaves rose up in revolt in 1791 and after decades of struggle, the independent republic of Haiti was officially proclaimed in 1804.
This is a moving, raw and heartfelt book of poetry and the scenes described were beautiful and vivid. Mixing past issues of colonialism and slavery with the state of modern-day Haiti was done seamlessly. Despite this adversity and hardship Métellus also covers themes of hope, strength and survival. This is not an easy read by all means and as the poems are so long I can understand those who perhaps lost focus whilst reading, although I didn't have a problem with that myself. Freedom, identity and poverty also feature heavily throughout. Translated by formidable comparative literature scholar Haun Saussy - I thought he did a great job in keeping with the meaning of the prose.
Many thanks to Northwestern University Press.
This is a moving, raw and heartfelt book of poetry and the scenes described were beautiful and vivid. Mixing past issues of colonialism and slavery with the state of modern-day Haiti was done seamlessly. Despite this adversity and hardship Métellus also covers themes of hope, strength and survival. This is not an easy read by all means and as the poems are so long I can understand those who perhaps lost focus whilst reading, although I didn't have a problem with that myself. Freedom, identity and poverty also feature heavily throughout. Translated by formidable comparative literature scholar Haun Saussy - I thought he did a great job in keeping with the meaning of the prose.
Many thanks to Northwestern University Press.
December 21, 2018
Jean Metellus fled Haiti for Paris in 1959 because of political unrest. In Paris he studied medicine, linguistics and later became a neurologist. He also published books, plays, and poetry. Haiti played a central theme in his creative endeavors.
“I am a Haitian exile who has never left Haiti, and Haiti has never left me. For many years, my imagination has linked me to my native land. Poems, novels, theater–these have always been the media allowing me to recreate an intimate relationship with the Haitian land. Imagination and lyricism cannot be silent during the brutal historical times of our country; they must participate in the investigation of the present and in the interrogation of the future.”
Jean Metellus, from an interview in Callaloo journal.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2931230
The biographical information in the introduction about Jean Metellus’s life was fascinating. I felt prompted to look up more information about Haiti’s history and culture. This isn’t necessary to enjoy this book, but I did find it added context and gave more meaning to his work. I especially found the Haitian mythology mentioned in the introduction interesting, particularly regarding Iwas and possession.
Themes of slavery, social stratification, and hardship were present in this poetry. There were also themes of hope, endurance, and beauty.
The poetry can be described as epic, lyrical, and overflowing with life. There was vivid imagery, in fact I think I experienced something like synesthesia. The pages came to life with color and sounds.
With this strong opening the poetry takes flight and does not let up. I enjoyed it immensely.
ARC provided by Northwestern University Press via Netgalley
“I am a Haitian exile who has never left Haiti, and Haiti has never left me. For many years, my imagination has linked me to my native land. Poems, novels, theater–these have always been the media allowing me to recreate an intimate relationship with the Haitian land. Imagination and lyricism cannot be silent during the brutal historical times of our country; they must participate in the investigation of the present and in the interrogation of the future.”
Jean Metellus, from an interview in Callaloo journal.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2931230
The biographical information in the introduction about Jean Metellus’s life was fascinating. I felt prompted to look up more information about Haiti’s history and culture. This isn’t necessary to enjoy this book, but I did find it added context and gave more meaning to his work. I especially found the Haitian mythology mentioned in the introduction interesting, particularly regarding Iwas and possession.
Themes of slavery, social stratification, and hardship were present in this poetry. There were also themes of hope, endurance, and beauty.
The poetry can be described as epic, lyrical, and overflowing with life. There was vivid imagery, in fact I think I experienced something like synesthesia. The pages came to life with color and sounds.
When the pipirite sings the Haitian peasant
has already crossed the day’s threshold and
forms in the air, one step behind sun,
the outline of a crucified man embracing
life
Then blessing the earth with pure winds of
devotion, first greets the light-soaked azure
and then drenches the forsaken hillside–no
favor and no fertilizer–with prayers
Around the pipirite’s song hovers the threat of
a return to tears When the pipirite sings the
hours dangle from the plantations’ lips
And if yesterday came back what then
And the Haitian peasant morning after
morning leaps across dawn’s tongue to slay the
venom of his nights and crush his nightmares’
thorns
And in the day’s breath all the Iwas are named
With this strong opening the poetry takes flight and does not let up. I enjoyed it immensely.
ARC provided by Northwestern University Press via Netgalley
January 12, 2025
I only wish this edition presented the poetry both in English and French. The epic poem included here is a necessary read for anyone interested in Haiti, its future and past.
April 7, 2019
This book offered a beautiful look into the Haitian culture. The poems were emotionally charged and the mental images were vividly espied.
“In the cooing of dawn his lunatic wife, loud with dis-ease, importuned grace Up before day in the shards of a dream Hair loose, anxious nostrils groping at crumbs of life Eyes hungry for signs Ears alert, fearless, gauging the range of silence, exploring the hours...”
Lovely read.
#netgalley
“In the cooing of dawn his lunatic wife, loud with dis-ease, importuned grace Up before day in the shards of a dream Hair loose, anxious nostrils groping at crumbs of life Eyes hungry for signs Ears alert, fearless, gauging the range of silence, exploring the hours...”
Lovely read.
#netgalley
June 9, 2019
This is the most underrated poetry book I have read recently! Forget all those instagram trendy poems, this poetry booklet is amazing and let you enter the Haitian world with respect and joy! Poems are filled with history, pain, developing, eager for freedom! From the slavery to modernity, the poet delved all those topics with an outstanding poetic touch and it draws readers' mind to wonder what Haitian really like in Haitian people's minds, certainly not "shit holes"! Nowadays, it is so much forgotten because it is not developed like west Europe, yet not fully equipped with buying powers like China, but the poetry showed us how rich and profound this land and its people are! For all poetry lovers, read it!
October 7, 2022
The purpose of my blog was not just to keep track of my own reading but also to push me towards expanding my reading. A lot of my reading has been very Western-focused, from poetry to fairy tales to novels. When it comes to some genres I have been able to reach beyond my own culture, in large part thanks to the push for diversity in publishing and representation. This desire to broaden my horizons was a big reason for why I wanted to read When the Pipirite Sings. Thanks to Northwestern University Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My sincere apologies for the delay.
Poetry wasn't always my cup of tea. It can be hard to get in to, especially more traditional forms or poetry from other cultures. Poetry, by its nature, works with metaphors and allusions and ideas, and many of these are culturally bound. Most will understand that the idea of a rising sun may mean a new beginning, but often it is not that straightforward. Often the references aren't even explicit or purposefully placed by the poet, rather they bleed in unawares. As such, reading poetry from "outside" your own culture can be a challenge. I definitely needed some time to get into Métellus' poems featured in When the Pipirite Sings. Not because they were difficult or abstract, let alone bad, but rather because I needed to open myself up to not understanding certain references. Saussy thankfully footnotes quite a few references, but it nonetheless took some getting used to. Once I let Métellus' beautiful writing wash over me, however, once I let go of following every single thing, I began to get much more of a sense of his rhythm and his meaning. And while Haiti is an unknown country to me, aside from the (sadly often tragic) news, I now feel like I've received a little glimpse of it, of its land, its people, its myths, and its spirit.
The collection starts with the titular long poem 'When the Pipirite Sings', which is hard to explain or summarise in a few lines. This poem spans 60+ pages (as far as I could see on my Kindle) and it immediately amazes by its vivid descriptions of land, gods, and suffering. It is a paean to Haiti, an outcry against slavery, an ode to the gods, a love-song to the land. Many lines stood out to me, each was impressive in and of itself. The one below, however, stood out:
My speech grafted on the branches of the future unleashes the lightning of calamities and pride with its seams of gold
The rasping of weeds that cannot perceive signs or my repetitive prayer or the waves of my throat or the bruises of my voice
Awakens my calling
The mutiny of passion eases the storm into my mouth
And light-headed air feeds the gums that attack my joy
This first poem is rather long and contains sub-sections, or sub-poems, 'Prayer to the Sun' and 'The Sun's Reply'. I really liked both of these as well, from their use of imagery to their tone, which sways between a plea and a war cry. Next is 'No Reprieve', which is as tragic as it sounds. 'Land' reads like the poem of someone who misses his homeland, and this emotion rings through really strongly. 'Death in Haiti' is both love song to Haiti and a mourning song to its people, pulled between hurricanes and gods and slavers. 'Words' was one of my favourites, starting with 'My heart gives itself up to words' while fully aware that words are a poor substitute for the real, living world. 'Ogoun' describes one of the chief male gods of the vaudou pantheon, or rather puts words in his mouth, and those words are like war song. 'The Wretched of Life' is another one of my favourites, although it's not an apt word here. Inspired by Fanon's Les damnes de la terre, in which he analysed internalized racism, this poem shows perhaps clearest what issues Métellus was grappling with. 'For a Haitian Schoolboy' is a poem of encouragement but also questioning for young black boys, one that asks them to investigate where their knowledge comes from, what humanity's place in this world is, and to think carefully. I really enjoyed this one as well.
Jean Métellus was a Haitian poet, neurologist, linguist, and novelist. In his excellent introduction, Saussy paints a portrait of the man, or rather of the many personalities that came together in the man Jean. Métellus' interest in poetry didn't start until he had already left Haiti, leaving due to its tense political climate, when he was already studying medicine in Paris. For Métellus, his poetry was completely separate from every other aspect of his life. Even his work in linguistics did not impact his poetry. Saussy suggests something like vaudou possession, divine inspiration, which then burst out in countless poems dedicated to his homeland, if written in French rather than his native Kreyol. And the writing truly is beautiful. There is something so evocative about Métellus's writing, as if he is summoning the Haiti of his childhood out of thin air for the reader. What he also summons is the suffering of his people, the injustices of racism and slavery, the hardships of the climate. As such, the poems of When the Pipirite Sings aren't "easy reading" in the technical sense, but they are very much worth settling down for and getting in to. I'm very glad Haun Saussy and Northwestern University Press released such a beautiful collection to (re-)introduce audiences to this poet and his Haiti.
When the Pipirite Sings features stunning poems, especially the titular long poem which recreates and gives voice to Haiti. Any lovers of poetry and readers interested in post-colonial works should pick this collection up!
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
Poetry wasn't always my cup of tea. It can be hard to get in to, especially more traditional forms or poetry from other cultures. Poetry, by its nature, works with metaphors and allusions and ideas, and many of these are culturally bound. Most will understand that the idea of a rising sun may mean a new beginning, but often it is not that straightforward. Often the references aren't even explicit or purposefully placed by the poet, rather they bleed in unawares. As such, reading poetry from "outside" your own culture can be a challenge. I definitely needed some time to get into Métellus' poems featured in When the Pipirite Sings. Not because they were difficult or abstract, let alone bad, but rather because I needed to open myself up to not understanding certain references. Saussy thankfully footnotes quite a few references, but it nonetheless took some getting used to. Once I let Métellus' beautiful writing wash over me, however, once I let go of following every single thing, I began to get much more of a sense of his rhythm and his meaning. And while Haiti is an unknown country to me, aside from the (sadly often tragic) news, I now feel like I've received a little glimpse of it, of its land, its people, its myths, and its spirit.
The collection starts with the titular long poem 'When the Pipirite Sings', which is hard to explain or summarise in a few lines. This poem spans 60+ pages (as far as I could see on my Kindle) and it immediately amazes by its vivid descriptions of land, gods, and suffering. It is a paean to Haiti, an outcry against slavery, an ode to the gods, a love-song to the land. Many lines stood out to me, each was impressive in and of itself. The one below, however, stood out:
My speech grafted on the branches of the future unleashes the lightning of calamities and pride with its seams of gold
The rasping of weeds that cannot perceive signs or my repetitive prayer or the waves of my throat or the bruises of my voice
Awakens my calling
The mutiny of passion eases the storm into my mouth
And light-headed air feeds the gums that attack my joy
This first poem is rather long and contains sub-sections, or sub-poems, 'Prayer to the Sun' and 'The Sun's Reply'. I really liked both of these as well, from their use of imagery to their tone, which sways between a plea and a war cry. Next is 'No Reprieve', which is as tragic as it sounds. 'Land' reads like the poem of someone who misses his homeland, and this emotion rings through really strongly. 'Death in Haiti' is both love song to Haiti and a mourning song to its people, pulled between hurricanes and gods and slavers. 'Words' was one of my favourites, starting with 'My heart gives itself up to words' while fully aware that words are a poor substitute for the real, living world. 'Ogoun' describes one of the chief male gods of the vaudou pantheon, or rather puts words in his mouth, and those words are like war song. 'The Wretched of Life' is another one of my favourites, although it's not an apt word here. Inspired by Fanon's Les damnes de la terre, in which he analysed internalized racism, this poem shows perhaps clearest what issues Métellus was grappling with. 'For a Haitian Schoolboy' is a poem of encouragement but also questioning for young black boys, one that asks them to investigate where their knowledge comes from, what humanity's place in this world is, and to think carefully. I really enjoyed this one as well.
Jean Métellus was a Haitian poet, neurologist, linguist, and novelist. In his excellent introduction, Saussy paints a portrait of the man, or rather of the many personalities that came together in the man Jean. Métellus' interest in poetry didn't start until he had already left Haiti, leaving due to its tense political climate, when he was already studying medicine in Paris. For Métellus, his poetry was completely separate from every other aspect of his life. Even his work in linguistics did not impact his poetry. Saussy suggests something like vaudou possession, divine inspiration, which then burst out in countless poems dedicated to his homeland, if written in French rather than his native Kreyol. And the writing truly is beautiful. There is something so evocative about Métellus's writing, as if he is summoning the Haiti of his childhood out of thin air for the reader. What he also summons is the suffering of his people, the injustices of racism and slavery, the hardships of the climate. As such, the poems of When the Pipirite Sings aren't "easy reading" in the technical sense, but they are very much worth settling down for and getting in to. I'm very glad Haun Saussy and Northwestern University Press released such a beautiful collection to (re-)introduce audiences to this poet and his Haiti.
When the Pipirite Sings features stunning poems, especially the titular long poem which recreates and gives voice to Haiti. Any lovers of poetry and readers interested in post-colonial works should pick this collection up!
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
October 8, 2020
Jean Métellus was born in Haiti and initially educated in Haiti. He left his home country to continue his education and escape the Duvalier regime in 1959. In Paris, he studied linguistics and neurology. Metellus would not return to his homeland, but instead, he began to write poetry about Haiti. His attachment to Haiti is complex since he wrote about it from memory, perhaps a bit idealized, and wrote in French, not in Creole. Haun Saussy translation of the French to English captures the spirit of the poetry while keeping the form intact.
Metellus' masterpiece "When the Pipirite Sings" opens the collection. There is an immediate feeling of the countries people and history. The slave labor and broken promises of freedom and prosperity run through the poem as well as the forced language and religion on a captive people.
When the pipirite sings the Haitian peasant has already crossed the day’s
threshold and forms in the air, one step behind the sun, the outline of a
crucified man embracing life
...
The Haitian peasant knows how to get up before dawn and bury a wish, a
dream
Poverty and slash and burn subsistence agriculture is represented.
Before daybreak this mother was contemplating
Her womb more fertile than the earth
~ When the Pipirite Sings
Glimmers of hope grow in other poems.
Haiti is glowing like a cat
Her breath and her rapture spread abroad
Her men and hillsides are already singing
Cinnamon and spices play
The seasons will cover our fields with flowers
~The Sun's Reply
Metellus captures the spirit of his homeland and its roots. Themes of slavery and African heritage, poverty, simple lives, and hope for Haiti run deep in all the poems.
April 15, 2019
Metellus' masterpiece "When the Pipirite Sings" opens the collection. There is an immediate feeling of the countries people and history. The slave labor and broken promises of freedom and prosperity run through the poem as well as the forced language and religion on a captive people.
When the pipirite sings the Haitian peasant has already crossed the day’s
threshold and forms in the air, one step behind the sun, the outline of a
crucified man embracing life
...
The Haitian peasant knows how to get up before dawn and bury a wish, a
dream
Poverty and slash and burn subsistence agriculture is represented.
Before daybreak this mother was contemplating
Her womb more fertile than the earth
~ When the Pipirite Sings
Glimmers of hope grow in other poems.
Haiti is glowing like a cat
Her breath and her rapture spread abroad
Her men and hillsides are already singing
Cinnamon and spices play
The seasons will cover our fields with flowers
~The Sun's Reply
Metellus captures the spirit of his homeland and its roots. Themes of slavery and African heritage, poverty, simple lives, and hope for Haiti run deep in all the poems.
April 15, 2019
October 26, 2018
Great black man remember / Remember that it was words, sounds and colors / That condemned you, burned you, assassinated you / Do you remember your victory / Do you rememeber the victory of calindas and of Negritude / Of real Negritude on Haiti's soil [...] Forget none of your past / Neither Negrism nor Negritude / If the world despises you don't be scandalized / And know that this harsh exclusion will perserve the race of your children
Not only is the theme and pride of When the Pipirite Sings the outward forms of "local Haitian colour", the search for identity, the tireless memory, but also the authenticity of Métellus' poetry is palpable, his imagery vigorous and unique.
And memory dressed in stars still signs with aflourish across the wound of oblivion / Intrepid she rushes to all fronts, reviving despair
This copy was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 21, 2019
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
This is an utterly gorgeous collection that encapsulates a mythic voice, saturated with color and grandeur, directly germane to a Black African aesthetic. The language, the imagery leap off the page and cast spells.
And what's more refreshing still is to completely fall within such powerful lyricism embedded with so many spiritual and nature elements, divorced from the horrors of the white gaze, from our proximity to white people. We inhabit a world in this collection where there is the raw Caribbean, Africa, and ourselves.
Métellus is a painter of words who deserves the utmost of praise for his poetic skill.
This is an utterly gorgeous collection that encapsulates a mythic voice, saturated with color and grandeur, directly germane to a Black African aesthetic. The language, the imagery leap off the page and cast spells.
And what's more refreshing still is to completely fall within such powerful lyricism embedded with so many spiritual and nature elements, divorced from the horrors of the white gaze, from our proximity to white people. We inhabit a world in this collection where there is the raw Caribbean, Africa, and ourselves.
Métellus is a painter of words who deserves the utmost of praise for his poetic skill.
May 9, 2019
This was a beautiful translation - I loved Metellus' use of language. The main work in this collection, “Au pipirite chantant” (“When the Pipirite Sings"), was like a magnificent fever dream: page after page of vivid allusion and imagery of Haiti, its people and botany and culture and climate and history and vaudou gods. It took me days to make my way through it because of its combination of sprawl and density, and the fact that I kept stopping to look up definitions and historical references. The shorter poems were interesting as well, and I enjoyed the introduction and learning about Metellus and mid-20th century Haitian politics and history.
January 31, 2019
While I admire the strong imagery and emotionally powerful symbolism of Metellus' poems, their length and proselike appearance were a bit off putting for this reader. The piling up of detail would be more effective for me in poetry of more conventional formatting. I recognize this to be a flaw in me rather than the poems themselves. Nevertheless, I subtracted a star, feeling the poems were lessened by their form.
May 6, 2019
Vibrant collection, rich in imagery and language, When the Pipirite Sings is a beautiful, as well raw look at life in Haitian life and does not shy away from colonial themes. The verses are lyrical and the longer poems deeply rewarding.
Kudos to the translator at doing such a sterling job bringing the poet's words to life.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Kudos to the translator at doing such a sterling job bringing the poet's words to life.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 15, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed Jean Metellus book of poetry. The way he illustrated Haiti's history, pain, vigor, botany, and vodou gods was powerful and thought-provoking! My favorite poem was about what the tree had to say- and it had a lot to say to its people. These selected poems are vividly described and full of imagery. i>I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2018
When the Pipirite Sings presents the collected poems of Haitian poet and doctor Jean Métellus, who wrote primarily in French. The collection most notably includes the first English translation of his signature work by the same title.
Métellus tackles many powerful subjects, from colonial oppression to Haitian spiritual and cultural identity. He uses powerful and at times vivid language to deal with these themes. But make no mistake, the poems in When the Pipirite Sings (digital galley, Northwestern University Press) have a high specific gravity and can be slow to get through.
It’s good to see literary translations from Caribbean countries being published in English. As close neighbors — and the destination of many a vacationer — it’s important that these books be made available so that U.S. readers can better understand the cultural history of the region.
Métellus tackles many powerful subjects, from colonial oppression to Haitian spiritual and cultural identity. He uses powerful and at times vivid language to deal with these themes. But make no mistake, the poems in When the Pipirite Sings (digital galley, Northwestern University Press) have a high specific gravity and can be slow to get through.
It’s good to see literary translations from Caribbean countries being published in English. As close neighbors — and the destination of many a vacationer — it’s important that these books be made available so that U.S. readers can better understand the cultural history of the region.
November 17, 2018
When The Piperite Sings by Jean Metellus as translated by Haun Saussy is a magnificent adventure through poetic pieces that introduce the reader to various aspects of Haitian Culture. Thematically addressing the search for identity in an ever changing world and its effects on the culture as well as the individual. These pieces demonstrate Metellus strong original voice and vivid imagery entice the reader into each piece.
Read
December 17, 2018I received a free Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Subjectively, I didn't feel as strongly about the book, because with poems so long, I kept being distracted and zoning out. However, I value how descriptive it was & the use of beautiful imagery. I enjoyed the authenticity and although I am not acquainted with Haitian culture and history, it was something I enjoyed discovering.
There wasn't any part of the book that was bad. I can't say I was bored but it failed to keep my focus so I find it hard to judge and review this, so I have settle on a 4-star as I've read it completely and consider to be good quality.
Subjectively, I didn't feel as strongly about the book, because with poems so long, I kept being distracted and zoning out. However, I value how descriptive it was & the use of beautiful imagery. I enjoyed the authenticity and although I am not acquainted with Haitian culture and history, it was something I enjoyed discovering.
There wasn't any part of the book that was bad. I can't say I was bored but it failed to keep my focus so I find it hard to judge and review this, so I have settle on a 4-star as I've read it completely and consider to be good quality.
April 4, 2019
I thought this was a very detailed book and poem collection . It gave great insight into the the background and culture . I did find some to be a tad long , so almost losing focal point , but I did enjoy the read as well .
April 10, 2019
The poems in this collection are raw. Jean Metellus is writing about Haiti and his own experiences in a way that brings the reader along. These poems invoke feeling and wonder at the world created by Metellus. I was moved by the details and flow of the stanzas. Although not usually a fan of poetry, I found these easy to read and very enjoyable. His timing and spacing of phrases was ideal for any reader. Job well done.
April 21, 2019
This is such a beautiful collection. Although the author only wrote in French and these were translated I must say that the description of the people and the beautiful imagery truly made the collection come alive.
Métellus is not shy and the collection takes a deep dive into colonial oppression as well as the cultural and spiritual identity of the Haitian people. Although I found some of the pieces hard to get through, the entire work as a whole was very well-written.
Métellus is not shy and the collection takes a deep dive into colonial oppression as well as the cultural and spiritual identity of the Haitian people. Although I found some of the pieces hard to get through, the entire work as a whole was very well-written.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews