Santa Tarantula

In her debut collection, Santa Tarantula, Jordan Pérez gives a voice to the voiceless, explores ancient narratives, delves into Cuban history and identity, and confronts trauma and violence. The poems weave together the stories of those who go unheard with family memories, explore moments of unspeakable tragedy, and reveal that survival is in the telling.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

The poems in Jordan Pérez's debut collection, Santa Tarantula, offer a powerful and poignant voice to the marginalized and oppressed. Through their exploration of ancient narratives, Cuban history, and identity, Pérez brings to light the experiences of those who have been silenced. The collection confronts trauma and violence, offering a sense of urgency and haunting beauty.

In Santa Tarantula, Pérez delves into the complex interplay between fear and hope, despair and resilience. She lends her voice to those who have been forgotten by society, including political dissidents, gay men, and religious minorities imprisoned in the forced-labor camps of 1960s Cuba. Pérez also gives voice to biblical women who were deemed unworthy of naming and survivors of sexual violence who struggle with the paralyzing fear and isolation that often accompanies such experiences.

Through rich and vivid imagery, Pérez weaves together the stories of these individuals with family memories, exploring moments of unspeakable tragedy alongside glimpses of a life beyond the trauma. The poems evoke a sense of vulnerability and strength, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Santa Tarantula pushes through the darkness, cataloging unspoken pain and multigenerational damage. It reveals that survival is often found in the act of telling one's story, of sharing one's pain and suffering with others. Pérez's collection is a testament to the power of poetry to heal, to bring awareness, and to inspire change.

In conclusion, Santa Tarantula is a stunning debut collection that offers a powerful and poignant voice to the voiceless. Through its exploration of ancient narratives, Cuban history, and identity, Pérez brings to light the experiences of those who have been silenced. The collection confronts trauma and violence, offering a sense of urgency and haunting beauty. Pérez's poems evoke a sense of vulnerability and strength, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Santa Tarantula is a testament to the power of poetry to heal, to bring awareness, and to inspire change.

Weight: 138g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268207526