Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – Book Review
A book with a rhythm that mimics life’s own heartbeat
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo shows us the consequences to what happens when a father is living a double life. Two wives, two identities, and two daughters. This book has a flavor of the Dominican Republic that permeates the essence of this work, as well. Spanish intermingling with English confidently and comfortably. There is an awareness of the diasporic connections between the streets of the Bronx and the island of the Dominican Republic.
A book that mimics song
I did not know this was an in-verse novel when I purchased it. So, I was a bit skeptical on how the flow would unfold. I am grateful I gave this book a chance. This story hooked me instantly after the first verse. With its visual metaphors, its feelings drift into view from the pages like beautiful small lights. The intimate syncopations of Clap When You Land creates a devilishly timed rhythm that mimics life’s own heartbeat.
In-verse novels are stories that are written in poetry format (in verses) instead of the usual prose. Epic stories have been told in this manner: Shakespeare, for example. After reading this, I believe the author’s intentions were for us to feel rather than to know. To release the reader from thinking, and into a race of emotions. Emotions and a delicate story that prose wouldn’t have done justice.
Poetry is music that captures a piece of the universe, and novels tell stories with characters. These poems actually felt like poems, and not prose. I could read every one separately and feel connected to the message. The story was absolutely there, though. Clap When You Land is a delicate blend of both types of writing styles. As a writer of Poet X, poetry isn’t something this author struggles with. On top of that, making the decision to create a story so close to her own background created a layer of authenticity.
“That when a bad thing happens, a good thing may come and take its place.”
Clap When You Land was a rollercoaster of varying degrees. That life is a mix between your greatest dreams and your worst fears. That when a bad thing happens, a good thing may come and take its place. The two main characters lost their father, but they gained a sister.
The duality of their father physicalizes this message and grips the reader. “The problem is when you win against yourself, you always lose.” (Clap When You Land). It showed how he could be so many things to his two families. Yet, both girls and wives still felt like there was a piece of him missing.
***Spoiler alert***
(SPOILER ALERT in next paragraph, skip to next section if you don’t want to see it.)
When it is realized by the reader that he chose to marry the safe lover over his dream lover because it was better for optics, this really showed the type of sacrifices life truly requires. That sense of duality in this message never loses a beat. We can’t have it all because we are not the Divine; we are not God or Allah. And we can only be one thing to one person at a time.
That’s why it was so heartbreaking when the reader finds out that he essentially let the love of his life die because he couldn’t get back to the DR in time. He also couldn’t get money there either in enough time to save her from her disease that required doctors. He missed his first born’s birth because he was “keeping up with the optics”. And ultimately kept both women (at least what we know from his “official” wife) very unhappy. Was it worth it? Not making a decision and living with it? And instead trying to have both even though that’s just not how human existence operates.
Sisters of Varying Polarity
Moving on, I enjoyed the contrast between the sisters. There was an implication that how they acted could be a direct result of how they grew up financially.
Being in America, we take so many little things for granted (buying plane tickets, visiting other countries, etc.) that people in other countries cannot even fathom. So it was interesting how Yahaira seemed so open and honest while Camino seemed quite envious and resentful. Yahaira almost was forced to show Camino some grace by acknowledging her own privilege. Truth be told, Camino’s actions on the surface were frustrating. Her intent, however, was clear. She needed to survive at all costs, even if she has to lie to Yahaira, blackmail her, steal from her. The poor and ill-resourced island of the DR was like a cloud over Camino’s life.
In Camino’s eyes, here is this sister that has everything she wanted. At least financially. But Camino also had all of the things Yahaira wanted: a direct line to their culture, the island’s paradise or some version of it, identity. Their contrast definitely highlighted that regardless of financial background or where you’re from, something will always feel missing if you search for external satisfaction.
“‘I hunger for stable ground'”
Camino’s desire for a stable foundation for something greater in the US vs Yahaira’s desire for a Dominican identity is in fact a core theme. In a way, they both seek this feeling of calm, peace, stability. And the first poem completely showcases that: “I hunger for stable ground”. This poem – about mud of all things – serves as a double meaning: a metaphor about life feeling like walking on wet mud, and literally during rainy season in the DR. But either way, there is no peace there.
I believe them having to meet the other in the middle between their two worlds was the stable ground they seemed to have longed for. As Camino’s resentment melted into protection as an older sister, and Yahaira’s naivety about life completely vanishing. Before, they believed what they sought had to be better than the endless stream of dreamless existence that was Camino’s life in the DR or the plain life of the Bronx for Yahaira. What they received, though, was bigger than self. It was the actualization of a new destiny. A major turning point.
“It is the imitation of life.”
Clap When You Land didn’t have too much character development, but I think that was the point. There was less focus on the people and conflict, and more about existing in this new world being created. Poetry can show how life is conflict and that you have to live with that. This is the only way that this novel can be described. It is the imitation of life.
After Thoughts
To “clap when you land” means to show gratitude for the grace God has shown you. It depicts a another meaning in my opinion: to show gratitude for where you are. Instead aching for what someone has and you do not, you realize just how much you do have. And that thought allows one to smile, and be content.
The author left an open ending because the style didn’t require the perfect ending. It simply required the feeling of relief. And as a reader I received that fully. You don’t know what’s going to happen after; you may be curious, but this ending is intentionally satisfying. Elizabeth Acevedo has a gift. Clap When You Land is a work of art.
Purchase here.
