Catching up with reviews that have caught up with me.
An incredibly powerful selection here. Very moving and heartwarming. I can't wait to see more literature emerge like this in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a free copy to review.

Like 'Electric Arches', the voice at the centre of Eve Ewing's '1919' is unmistakeably Chicagoan. The difference here, however, is the expanse that '1919' incorporates - distilling the entire essence of the early 20th Century African American experience right down into something which feels personal, raw and pressing in this era of America's deep racial divisions.

This collection was so incredibly powerful. If I could write out every single poem that I loved, I would but, alas, I'm not here to get a copyright strike. It's hard for me to put into words the emotions that Ewing evokes with her own. Each poem, each section, is carefully crafted to really make you think and to make you empathise with the Black community. Not just empathise, but feel anger for their injustices.

My favourite poem from the collection was undoubtedly 'sightseers'. I noticed myself nodding along and really connecting with that one as I read it, especially due to its relevance in current times. Honestly, the entire collection is relevant in current times, I implore you to read this. I'm about to dive straight into 'Electric Arches' and I'm rather certain that Eve Ewing is going to become an auto-buy author for me.

My bookstagram review:

Eve L. Ewing’s collection 1919 is what I always refer to as “project book” of poems- part investigation, part reenactment of a historical event, in this case the 1919 Chicago Race Riots. The book is made up of material taken from official documents from the time, photographs and Ewing’s own poetry. I originally got this book as a #netgalley proof but after a few pages, I realised the format was doing it no justice, and I ordered the US edition, which is a very pleasing square shape and is very accessible in terms of its fonts and images. (Anyone who knows me and poetry, knows that I can’t really manage small fonts very well, so I’m always glad to see a well made book like this!) The UK edition is being released by Penguin later this summer, I believe, along with Ewing’s 2017 collection, Electric Arches, but I did not want to wait! If you’re thinking about getting this book, I would recommend buying a physical edition.
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My own knowledge of American history is embarrassingly limited, due to the Eurocentric focus in our education system, no doubt, so I came to this absolutely fresh. I learned a lot from the historical research Ewing carried out and I also learned a lot from her own, beautiful writing. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to read project-style poetry! I ordered a copy of Electric Arches at the same time and I am hoping it will arrive soon. #haymarketbooks #evelewing #netgalley
43m

5 stars for this book as it deeply focus in the historical moments during that time. There were so much of race riots which I manage to highlight in the book and hope

Hope this books really sells and it should be told to the world how heart warming this stories were.

I was very emotional.

The book in itself is very much based on a story from 1919 Chicago and the author calls it the same. The poems are about resistance and fighting back for what is ours and what we deserve. The book is almost a collection of historical poems, it's more like reading history in poems. The pictures make it even more gorgeous

This book was both informative and moving. Written in an interesting style, I found myself pulled into this book and not wanting to put it down.
I highly recommend this book. It's short but packs a punch and shines a light on some important issues and moments in history.

Haunting, inspirational, powerful, personal; Eve L. Ewing talks about the race riots in Chicago, July 1919, painting a clear picture of the Exodus and the struggle to get from a place of cruelty, harsh, unjust, and inhumane existence to a place where people would finally be able to establish themselves, find work, fair pay, a place to prosper and flourish.