While verse novels might not to be to everyone’s taste, it is always a refreshing experience to read narrative poetry if you’ve been reading prose for a long time. In case you have always wanted to read poetry and were hesitant to jump headfirst into a full-fledged book of poems, novels written in verse might be just what you need. Addressing important issues and ideas and at the same time maintaining the mood that a novel carries, here are a few suggestions of novels brilliantly written in verse, that you will surely enjoy reading!
One of the most powerful novels written in verse, Atta’s ‘The Black Flamingo’ is a coming-of-age story about Michael, a mixed race teen. Michael is torn between his mixed identities of being a Greek-Cypriot and a Jamaican as well. He cannot figure out which one of these two cultural identities, he’s closer to. He later discovers the drag society which gives birth to his true purpose and helps him find where his heart lies. He not only discovers his sexuality but also explores his mixed cultural identity. Atta’s words flow in easy narrative poetry and leave a thoughtful touch on the readers.
One that truly cannot be missed out from the list of excellent books written in verse, ‘Other Words for Home’ is a song of kindness in itself. A free verse narration, it unfolds the story of Jude, who is forced to leave her father and brother, and is sent away to Cincinnati with her mother. When in America, Jude has difficulty in adjusting to the new place, the new people, new practices and lifestyle, but most importantly what bothers her is the weight of a new label (of being Middle Eastern). What is awe-inspiring about this story, is that Jude doesn’t give up even in the face of extreme hopelessness. She makes new friends and participates in the activities at her new school, carving out a new identity for herself. The story, divided into five parts traverses through intense themes of family, immigration and a sense of belonging.
If you have read and loved Elizabeth Acevedo’s work, you will absolutely enjoy reading Juleah Del Rosario’s ‘Turtles Under Ice’. Riveting and emotive in its style, this is the story of Rowena, who has been separated from her sister Ariana, after their mother’s demise. While Ariana and Rowena are figuring out their individual lives, the distance between them stems from their mother’s absence, the grief of which they are unable to handle. But when Ariana disappears one night without leaving any message behind, Rowena cuts through the distance engaging herself in her missing sister’s search. Juleah Del Rosario had made effective use of poetry as a potential tool to explore and explain the nature of grief and the love for one’s sibling, in ‘Turtle Under Ice’.
Novels written in verse often take more than a single reading for the reader to understand all the layers of it. So while slowly and patiently enjoy reading an interesting narrative poetry written in the form of a book, Handivity Designs has got your books covered, quite literally! With Handivity’s booksleeves and Kindle Paperwhite sleeves, your reading devices are absolutely protected from dust, stains as well as wear-and-tear.
Based on the true experiences of the author Thanhha Lai, ‘Inside Out and Back Again’ is a novel-length narrative poetry about a ten year old girl. Kim Ha, a ten year old is forced to leave Saigon with her family and relocate to the United States. Ha who has loved Saigon and its warmth and is unprepared for a tumultuous change, is suddenly pushed into a world that is infinitely different from what she has experienced all her life. Ha faces bullying in Alabama, so much so that she wishes to live in a war torn Saigon than in a peacefully safe Alabama. With some family support and the kindness of her neighbour, Ha manages to make her way through the adversity life throws at her.
Awarded with the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, Woodson’s ‘Brown Girl Dreaming’ is a remarkable work in verse. It is the story of the author’s childhood. Woodson being raised in South Carolina and New York, never felt that her heart completely belonged to either of these two places. Jacqueline Woodson started exploring her roots and writing stories. Her discovery of self is what led her to become an accomplished writer and find joy in her voice.
