The Poet X

A completely quotable novel from start to finish, The Poet X  is a simple, yet vivid, story of a young girl finding the power of her voice through poetry. 

“I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing experience of my life. It has brought me the most light. And isn’t that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark.”

Xiomara is the daughter of a particularly pious woman, the sister to a bonafide genius, and the best friend to a girl any parent would be envious to have. But who is Xiomara to herself?

Through her journal, she sorts through her thoughts in verse, as she dares to pursue her dreams and discovers things about herself and the people she thought she knew best that may change her life forever. 

“The world is almost peaceful when you stop trying to understand it.”

The Poet X is less about a central plot and more about discovering Xiomara as she discovers herself. Inarguably a highly relatable novel for current teenagers, the book also holds a gripping nostalgia for older readers and especially for anyone who has found writing a solace in their life and felt how much power their words can have when put down on paper.

Don’t let the short length of the book and its chapters fool you into thinking it doesn’t take on some big topics, like falling for someone for the first time, questioning one’s faith, the issue of the sexualization of girls’ bodies, learning how to deal with knowing your parents don’t always understand what’s best for you, and even a little about sexuality and being a good LGBT ally.

“And I think about all the things we could be

if we were never told our bodies were not built for them.”

The Poet X is a somewhat predictable coming-of-age story that readers have likely seen before (although, admittedly, usually from the eyes of a white main character), but which is invigorated with new life thanks to the extra emotional impact of Acevedo’s incredible poetic abilities. The audiobook only heightens this experience, as it’s brought to life by the author herself, who is not only clearly a great spoken-word poet, but who also nails the complex voice of Xiomara, which is often both unapologetic and afraid all at the same time. 

I rated The Poet X 5 out of 5 stars and will certainly be picking up more of Acevedo’s other works soon. 

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