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) 

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.

Narration not up to par for poetry

I couldn’t listen past the first 5 poems. The lack of passion and clear pronunciation left the prose feeling flat and emotionless.

Absolutely amazing

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

Beautifully Read

Like a lot of people, I truly love Amanda's inaugural poem "The Hill We Climb". This book I felt like some of her poems felt too repetitive. There were a few I couldn't even finish listen. Overall, I think she reads beautifully and her eclectic words are woven perfectly in some of her poems.

A beautiful resonant truth

Ms Gorman has paid attention to the expanse of our experience through pandemic and has rendered a hope for us all. I am grateful.

Beautiful

Amanda is a genius and I appreciate everything she does, I’m ready for another book!!!

Interesting listen

Good audio book, but the author should have hired a professional narrator. Her terrible mispronunciation of the Spanish language through off the rhythm of the book. As a native Spanish speaker, I found it hard to listen after she faltered through the words.

Inspiring

Amanda’s creativity and intelligence inspires me to learn more about poetry as an art form.

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

Poetry from COVID-19

I listened to this for our church book club. I found many of the poems powerful while some were not my favorites. That is poetry. I enjoy listening to books read by the authors. COVID-19 continues to create challenges in our changed world and this book is a bit of a time capsule to this experience. I'm amazed by how many poems/stories Ms. Gorman was able to create through this experience.