Review of The Storyteller's Return

[Claudia Angelucci]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Storyteller's Return" by Opal Palmer Adisa.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Opal Palmer Adisa's "The Storyteller's Return" is a fierce collection of story poems divided into five parts. These verses explore the journeys of those who left, returned, yearn to return, or embark on a spiritual homecoming.

An accomplished poet, storyteller, and educator with diverse talents, Adisa left Jamaica in 1980, only to return 25 years later. Her poetic mastery captures the intricate complexities of Jamaica, infusing the work with the vivid scents and hues of her homeland.

The book explores the repetitive nature of returning, underscoring the necessity to craft new narratives each time. It highlights the significance of home and the complexities associated with returning to a past that might no longer exist, shedding light on the unreliability of memories. The poems vividly describe sensory details linked to home, such as the scent of freshly cut lime. Home can be both a source of escape and a labyrinth of expectations, potentially causing one to feel trapped. It functions as an inescapable orbit, shaping the ongoing narrative of life.

Adisa's storytelling addresses themes of growing up, violence, secrets, and societal taboos with unwavering passion and unrestrained beauty. She paints a world of laughing tears that water the plants and breaths that carry the scent of rum. Those labeled as mad aren't truly mad but rather misunderstood. Women's mouths, vaginas, ears are cut and stitched.

The poems incorporate Jamaican traditions, including folk songs and the wisdom of the author's grandmother.

The book is professionally edited, with no errors detected during my reading. Adisa's adept disruption of conventional English stands out. Her purposeful omission of punctuation and capitalization imparts a sense of freedom, uniqueness, and philosophical depth in a single breath. It's important to note that certain content is explicit and may be distressing for some, addressing topics such as sexual abuse and incest.

I appreciate this book for its unapologetic expression, originality, and profound philosophical insights, crafting a poignant fusion of beauty and sadness. Its ability to both shock and captivate is noteworthy. I rate "The Storyteller's Return" 5 out of 5 stars, as I found nothing to dislike about it.

For those who appreciate authentic, unfiltered, and controversial poetry, these poems by a talented storyteller are an ideal fit.

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The Storyteller's Return
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[Anastasia Baglay]

What an exceptional review! Do you consider yourself as a fan of a poetry? Could you recommend this book to a newcomer at poetry's? Thank you!

[Claudia Angelucci]

Thank you so much, Anastasia! I do enjoy poetry and definitely consider myself a fan of the genre! I would recommend this specific genre of story poems. This collection is excellent, but it does include very sensitive content that may not be suitable for everyone. Thanks again, and have a great day!

[Julie Marie Basil]

This sounds like a very insightful collection of poems, and I'm sure the storytelling style of poems was very engaging. Your review is very well written and has me wanting to know more about the author's experiences that she shares through her poetry.

[Claudia Angelucci]

Thank you, Julie, for reading my review and for your lovely comment. In my opinion, it is indeed a great collection—very particular and, I would say, raw. If you like this kind of poetry, give it a try! All the best

[Anaïs Quesson]

Thank you a lot for this review, Claudia! I'm very picky about poetry, it seems like I'm not as sensitive to it as other people. However, if you recommend this collection to people who aren't familiar with the genre, I might give it a try! I enjoy the idea that the poems serve a purpose and tell a story. I would also like to learn more about Jamaican culture.
Keep up the good work!

[Paris Kumar]

Claudia, Your insightful review of Opal Palmer Adisa's "The Storyteller's Return" truly captures the essence of the collection. Your appreciation for the poetry's depth, authenticity, and unapologetic expression shines through eloquently. Well done!

[Terry Kimble]

Claudia, this poetic book sounds like a delightful experience! I have never read a book that (purposely) shuns the conventional laws of grammar, but I want to give the book a look after reading this detailed review. There comes a time when we must expand our literary horizons Your enjoyment of the book is intensely apparent and infectious!