Call Us What We Carry

Poems

By: Amanda Gorman

Narrated by: Amanda Gorman

Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

The instant number one New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best seller
 

The breakout poetry collection by number one New York Times best-selling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman

Formerly titled The Hill We Climb and Other Poems, the luminous poetry collection by number one New York Times best-selling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing. In Call Us What We Carry, Gorman explores history, language, identity, and erasure through an imaginative and intimate collage. Harnessing the collective grief of a global pandemic, this beautifully designed volume features poems in many inventive styles and structures and shines a light on a moment of reckoning. Call Us What We Carry reveals that Gorman has become our messenger from the past, our voice for the future.

©2021 Amanda Gorman (P)2021 Listening Library

Critic reviews

 “An inspired anthem for the next generation - a remarkable poetry debut.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

 “Gorman’s thoughtfulness and activist spirit shine through on every page.” (Publishers Weekly) 

“In seven sections and through poems that often experiment with form, the book sets out to tell the story of the COVID-19 pandemic from a collective point of view, with Gorman exploring the grief, hope and wisdom that come from a period of shared tragedy." (Time) 

Amazing

Words spoken so gently calming and assured. Rhythmic and encouraging. The messages are clear and heart alerting and warming - a call to action if we would choose to be

An ongoing story, a story to remember

Amanda Gorman is amazing. She tells history in a poem. She is a poetic historian. Her words really make you think and feel about what is going on in our world now. Future generations, in their curiosity to understand this period of time should be encouraged and directed to add this book to their research. Meanwhile, to us living through this, she gives us hope and words to use as hope and bring us together and to help us even understand what we are living through.

Absolutely amazing

Love the way it was written amazing poetry in this book. If you have a chance to read it totally recommend

Intense

There are some intense poems although in some others, understanding the reason for its form remains a puzzle.

STUNNING!

I absolutely loved this audiobook. I also read along with a hard copy to add to the experience because the illustrations in the book are very poignant to the overall work. Amanda Gorman is the scholarly poet of a generation. This is the second book I have read with an emphasis on Language and how it is the make or break for humanity and how Gorman dissects language in this piece in particular is a masterclass. The research she did and the remix and personal artistry that she put on history is peak expressionism. I learned so much from this work and it needs to be put in like a bunker/museum so in 1000 years when the aliens or who ever is occupying earth can fully comprehend what the American dream/nightmare/reality looks like actualized in 2020.

Pros and Cons

These may trigger emotional distress. A number of these works are in reference to our recent living conditions during the Covid 19 lockdown. There are moments when it ‘s hard to know when one poem ends and another starts, it may be easier to follow along with the text. You get the intention of the author because you can hear the vocal delivery and cadence. There are also moments that the author tells the listener what she was attempting to do with structure; such alternating historical text with her own words and creating a visual representation of a hangman using words from advertising. Overall ok to listen, but for some may find it more effective if they follow along with the text.

Electrifying

Amanda Gorman and her writings are timeless. The only thing better than reading her work is to listen to her recite it.

Powerful and imaginative use of language

Powerful and imaginative use of language, a discussion of the events of the last few years.

Brilliant

The ways she has captured such a tumultuous era for the us is profound. I’m not typically a fan of poetry but what Gorman has done here is exquisite. Listening to her read her own words with the emphasis and cadence she intended is pure magic. I was moved to tears, laughter, rage, and every other emotion under the sun. This will become a anchor point in literary history.

A powerful reflection by our nation's poet laureat

Ms Gorman's performance of her own work is provocative and inspiring. Tears and joy await the listener, as she delivers her message with uncanny, compelling force!