The Brush

What an earthquake of a book! Both the inevitability of the village’s fate, and the massacre itself are shattering. It was fascinating to alternate between prose and poetry, as a brutal return to reality. Making nature - in the shape of the brush - as a character added to the surrealist aspect of the event, and the reader dives into denial, unable to make sense of the reasons why such violence is perpetuated against the villagers. I will be thinking of this book for quite a while.

So beautifully written and heartbreaking, shows you the quiet and mighty power of poetry. This book made me reconsider what poetry can do - that it can be used as an archive, as a way of detailing inhumane horrors and the griefs that haunt time in a way that honours those subjected to the worst violence.

Poetry as reclamation, poetry as preserving history. A beautiful read.

The Brush has beautiful poetry as well as an account of a massacre in Colombia told from different perspectives. I appreciated how the author used poetry and different writing styles to capture these events.

The Brush by Eliana Hernández-Pachón is an informative, haunting read. Definitely a high recommend from me. I liked that the end of the book has a historical description of what is told in the poetry for those that may not have gotten all the information from the reading. A novel in verse that educates. I could see this being used in schools. My review will be on goodreads and Instagram.

Thank you to Archipelago Books via NetGalley for providing me with this ARC! Throughout her prose I found myself drawn in by Hernández-Pachón’s beautifully executed metaphors. The characters were vivid and alive and each one of their perspectives made me feel more immersed in her writing I began reading this book anticipating a collection of poems but was pleasantly surprised by the harmony between poetry and prose. I deeply enjoyed this book and hope to read more from the author!

Thank you, NetGalley for this powerful translated collection, The Brush. This book depicts the massacre of El Salado in Columbia. It gives voice to the ground, to nature, as it witnesses the horror and atrocities within. The main voice here is, as the title states, the Brush. And what an interesting perspective to read. This is a powerful little story and sheds light on a time in modern history I wasn't aware of. I'm grateful for the chance to have read it

This was a powerful collection that forced the reader to look between the leaves and bare witness to the terrible violence at El Salado, one of the deadliest massacres of the 21st century in Colombia. We enter the poem through the voices of Ester and Pablo, a feeling and a sense of dread welling upwards as the cat leaves dead animals on the doorstep, dreams lay heavy on their minds. And when the violence comes, the Brush speaks. It is nature and therefore impartial, it will watch and wait and lay pregnant with darkness. The lushness of the brush, it's vivid blooms, thick vines, and mulchy ungrowth does nothing to stop the violence, nor does it cease to be because of it either. When the Investigators come, they are clinical and ask direct questions, the Witnesses are burdened with their memories saying 'If we open our mouths, will we be able to forget?' (34%). The violence is only remembered, never written directly, we glimpse it through the lushness of the Brush, through its leaves, through the questions of the investigators, wanting to know why there had been music, why neighbors were forced to watch, trying to lay blame and reason on something so tragic that neither blame nor reason brings justice. Excellent, poignant, and brings dignity to those suffered and are still suffering from such an event.

A beautiful read, filled with moving poems and prose...the subject hit me like a punch in the guts (but in a good way).

This is a beautiful and moving book depicting one of the biggest massacres in Colombia. The poem starts with Pedro, a villager and his wife Ester. We know something happened because after Pedro disappears, Ester is walking through the brush with another woman who escaped the village. We learn about the terrible event when the Investigators come asking questions about the massacre and the villagers - witnesses describe what happened.

I loved the poetry, especially the Brush parts. The book is translated from Spanish but it doesn't feel translated - the translator did a good job and it flows very easily and is beautiful. I would be interested in other works by Eliana Hernandez-Pachon.

As we continue to develop our understanding of our relative place in the Earth's ecosystem, it becomes increasingly apparent that our histories are inextricably entwined with that of our planet. This is a story of violence; against people, against planet, and against history. Hernandez-Pachon's poem is a recuperation of memory which would be otherwise lost beneath the onslaught of colonial violence.

A wonderful poetry book. The poems were simple yet carries a heavy history of emotions. Thr combination of words to create the emotional stanzas are great.

This was a stunning and extremely moving story in verse about a massacre in early 2000s Colombia, one of several that took place around that time. I was immediately drawn to the characters and their rural life-- the prose really brought them to life and gave a strong sense of who they are swiftly. And the feeling of dread was palpable. I really appreciated the unique perspective of 'the brush' and the explanation at the end. I think this is really something special.

The Brush is an incredible example of the power of storytelling. Not only is the work itself arresting and beautiful, it also opened my eyes to a part of history I had never heard about. I found myself sitting upright and holding my breath as Hernandez-Pachon's words took me on this dark and moving journey. Upon finishing the book I immediately went back and read it again. I've already added it to my birthday wish list. Cannot recommend enough.

A unique exploration of a harrowing historical event, very vivid and grounded. I appreciated the exploration at the end of how the poet decided to approach telling this story, poetry is definitely an unexpected way to do so and is very effective in making you feel connected to what happens.

This was such an interesting read. It was amazing how this story of trauma was told while weaving in the nature elements. This poetry collection kept me riveted as it beautifully told this horrible story of violence. I didn't know about the El Salado massacre in 2000 so I'm glad this book brought that injustice to my attention. I'm really looking forward to more from this author, I think their storytelling ability is phenomenal.

I read through this small book of poetry twice. Once without looking into the story behind it and once afterwards, knowing the horror of the events this narrative poem describes so calmly. Connecting it to the shocking events it was a reminder of made the hair at the back my neck stand up.

The poetry itself feels almost dreamlike, as if whatever happens exists on another plane. I found it profoundly unsettling when I read it the second time. The prose itself was beautiful. It was quite short. I am still wondering whether I wanted a bit more or whether it is just right the way it is.

To be honest, I am not quite sure how to talk about this one. It made an impression, that’s for sure. Between Pablo, Ester and the Brush, it tells a story and the truth of the story is between the lines. Beautifully done.

I am grateful that imprints like Archipelago publish smaller, yet important works like this.