Plot Summary

Sorrow

Claribel Alegría
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Sorrow

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1978

Book Brief

Claribel Alegría

Sorrow

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1978
Book Details
Pages

104

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Publication Year

1978

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Sorrow by Claribel Alegría, translated by Carolyn Forché, is a collection of 47 short, bilingual poems that explore Alegría's profound grief over the death of her husband, her memories of their shared life, and her hope for eventual reunion. The poems delve into themes of loss, death, and the passage of time, offering intimate reflections on love, darkness, and the universal human experience of mourning.

Melancholic

Emotional

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.6

84 ratings

76%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Claribel Alegría’s Sorrow captures readers with its vivid exploration of grief and resilience. Critics praise its poignant, lyrical prose and powerful imagery. However, some find the narrative's pacing uneven and certain metaphors forced. Overall, it’s lauded for its emotional depth and unique voice, making it a memorable read despite minor flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sorrow?

A reader who would enjoy Claribel Alegría's Sorrow likely appreciates poignant, evocative poetry that delves into themes of grief, loss, and resilience. Comparable to readers of Pablo Neruda's Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, they seek deeply emotional and introspective works that offer a blend of personal and political reflections.

4.6

84 ratings

76%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

104

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Publication Year

1978

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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