This is truly a lovely collection of poetry. It made me realize that I want to read more poetry collections!

Alice Walker shares a timely collection of works of poetry that chronicle love, hope, the joys of simplicity, activism, pain, and gratitude in a grouping of inspiring, hopeful poems that feed and nourish the soul. Walker, as usual, does not disappoint, and her free verse liberates both our minds and the confines of the page.

Not my usual style of poetry but Alice Walker is always worth a read. Wonderful social commentary with Spanish translations listed alongside the English versions.

Absolutely breathtaking collection of poetry. I truly felt all the highs and lows throughout her poems. I also loved that she dedicated the poems to various people. So relevant for this day in age and beautifully done. I'll be recommending this to everyone.

It's a beautiful thing to see such an iconic author (whose work spans over decades) come back on the scene to release such timely, poignant poetry that still captures hearts and stirs souls. Alice Walker's voice is so powerful-- lending her voice to social injustices, the ugliness of war, and the paralyzing sadness of grief. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of poetry, experiencing many different emotions while reading. And though this book of poetry has strong political undertones, Walker also offers seeds of hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC of Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart in exchange for an honest review.

Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart
by Alice Walker
Atria Books

Atria / 37 INK
Poetry
Pub Date 02 Oct 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart through Atria Books and Netgalley:

Alice Walker was originally going to entitled this new collection of poetry The Long Road Home:


Alice Walker reminds us that many archers are waiting in the shadows on the long road Home.

The Long Road Home is dedicated to the memory of Muhammad Ali:

This book is presented in both English and Spanish:

This timely collection of nearly seventy works of both passionate and poetry that deals with the troubled times. The poems in this collection not only chronicle the troubled times but also chronicle a life well lived.


These poems cover everything from self inquiry, to celebrating the simple things like baking frittata's.


I give Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart four out of five Stars!


Happy Reading!

This newest collection of poetry by Alice Walker is relevant and timely. Each poem is translated into Spanish.

Alice Walker's collection of poems is brimming with anger and sorrow but also incredible hope. I found myself crying through several parts of it.

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Alice Walker delivers a series of deeply meditative observations on the fractured events of recent global, political history. Her voice is so immediately personal that the poems themselves feel more conversational than abstract flights of lyricism, as personal as the letters of The Color Purple.

Walker is truly a humanist spirit, weathered from the years of international indecency we as a collective perpetuate against one another. Though she posits a bare mirror for us to reflect, it seems the reflection is the therapy in itself. Walker is not explosive or declamatory or incendiary; she does not rouse the reader to take some dramatic action to combat social injustice. Rather, she seems to caution, just be aware of what is happening around us. The voice in these poems is quiet and stark.

Naturally, race is covered, as well as gender, but war and its wide scale effects seem to absolutely preoccupy her attention, especially since those directly affected so often have the smallest voices.

Many of the pieces included are tributes to those she has known through her life, both personally and historically, reinforcing this concept of meditation. Indeed, her level of consciousness is precisely what is needed in this overwhelming existential climate today.

In Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart, Alice Walker once again speaks her wisdom and tells her truths: applauding the ancestors who gave us the base we have built on; encouraging us all to activism to make right the wrongs all around us; making us face ourselves, our darkness, fears, racism and prejudices. All the while encouraging us to recognize the wonder and greatness around us, to enjoy, with gratitude, our collective spirit as we pledge to protect our earth and our youth.

A poet for the world, we are so very fortunate to be on the earth at the same time that she is here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this wonderful volume of poetry in exchange for an honest review.

Alice Walker is a legend for a reason. This collection is powerful and political, full of anger at the violence and discrimination in the world, as well as hope for a better future. Walker reflects on her travels, the people who inspire her, and folks trying to make a difference today. Her poetry is thought-provoking, honest, and beautiful. Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart is a must-read for Walker fans and for anyone looking to reflect on how violence, racism, sexism, and fear have affected the world we live in.

Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning The Color Purple, Alice Walker, shares a moving collection of nearly seventy new poems about a life well-lived. The poems are written mainly in 2015-2016. Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart is a peak into her world of love, hope, activism and gratitude. It is a comforting reminder that the arrows we feel in our hearts are not ours alone, but we must learn to remove them.

Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart is a bilingual collection. Manuel Garcia Verdecia, a respected poet and writer in Cuba, translated the poems into Spanish. English translation immediately follows each poem in the book. Alice Walker met Manuel back in 1985. Ever since, it has been a renewing spiritual experience working together. I am pleased to learn that Cubans are voracious readers; it makes me want to visit Cuba sooner rather than later. What a pleasure it would be to explore literature there.

Back to the subject at hand...I prepared a tall glass of sweet iced tea, muted all devices and settled in with an advance reader copy (ARC). I expected to be wow-ed. I expected to be in awe. I expected nothing short of greatness. My hopes were met! I took small breaks only to highlight and journal thoughts while reading.

Alice Walker fans, we have been blessed with new free verse. Although some of the poems are written for Muhammad Ali, Jesse Williams, Cynthia Erivo, B.B. King and more public figures, I was able to relate to its meaning. And it didn't go over my head like most poetry or deep prose. No matter the race, gender or political affiliation, Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart is pure inspiration for people of all stages in life. The poems force you to think beyond the page.

Happy Early Pub Day, Alice Walker. Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart will be available Tuesday, October 2.

LiteraryMarie

I really enjoyed the Alice Walker books I read in April for National Poetry Month, so I was excited to find this new collection of poems by the author. The collection contains the English poems and Spanish translations by Manuel Garcia Verdecia. The collection is perhaps focused a bit too much on the ills of society and philosophically aligned further left than my own leanings. While I agree with the author's points of social injustices, I think the way we would address them differs a great deal. I still enjoy the rhythm of the author's poetry. I even read a few of the poems in both languages, mainly to see if I was still able to read and comprehend in Spanish. As far as I can tell, the translator did a very good job--and I was able to comprehend more than expected. I received an advance electronic galley through the publisher via NetGalley with expectations of an honest review.

I have been a fan of Alice Walker's for decades It's really been treat to see how her work has evolved with the times and how her works seems to have gotten a bit darker in later years. I can see so many contributing factors for the change in her tone but the message is still the same. She has a deep sense of self and empathy. Her writing is timeless and relevant.

Alice Walker is a literary icon. Her newest collection of poetry, "Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart," is a moving set of poems that span themes of activism to love to domestic life. It's a collection that America needs in 2018, and we are lucky to have her voice.

Beautiful poems in Spanish and English. I will add this to my classroom collections! I think many students and adults would appreciate this.

Very interesting poems, but I was taken a little out of it when I would have to flip over the Spanish translation (because I would not fully understand it, or at all). If you are a fan of her works it is something to look into

This was my first time reading Ms. Walker's poetry and the beauty of her lines left me speechless. Very timely and moving pieces. She writes with the grace and knowledge of one who has seen many things but whose heart is still much very open to the beauty of the world, .

A beautiful collection of poetry. There is always something new to find and love when it comes to Alice Walker.

Such beautiful poetry. I plan to buy a copy for my dad, I think he will enjoy a lot of these poems. Some were heartbreaking and some were so sweet.