Review of The Storyteller's Return

[Savina Visintin]

[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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The Storyteller's Return is a splendid collection of poetry by Opal Palmer Adisa, one of the best contemporary poets I have ever read. The central theme of this poetic collection is the house/home, which is not always a welcoming and safe place. Related to this theme is the theme of return, and the protagonist of many poems is a little girl (the author herself?) who tells her experiences. The Jamaican landscape is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and images and enriches the collection with bold and vivid representations that accompany the reader throughout the book.

The Storyteller's Return is an impressive collection of poetry. Adisa is an exceptionally gifted writer and knows how to use words to convey sensations and feelings to her readers. Her language is often strong and expressive, constantly engaging the reader and hooking them to the page. An example of this use of words (the one that struck me the most) is the constant repetition of the term "idiot" in one of the poems, aimed at creating an atmosphere from which the reader cannot escape.

I must also add that the theme of house/home is explored very well within the collection. Representing the house as a place that is not always safe is one of the most original aspects of this collection because it completely overturns a concept that we often take for granted.

The book is well-edited, and I found only one small typo while reading. If I have to think of a negative side, sometimes the use of slang slows down my reading, but I understand that it is an essential part of the text, so I do not really consider it unfavorably.

For all these reasons, it is with pleasure that I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend reading this splendid collection to all lovers of inspired poetry capable of conveying powerful images.

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The Storyteller's Return
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