"A groundbreaking collection of poems addressing how every kind of love-self, brotherly, romantic, familial, cultural-is birthed, shaped, and complicated by the invisible forces of gender, capitalism, religion, migration, and so on. Written in English and combined with a Spanish translation by poet David Ruano, Promises of Gold explores many forms of love and how "a promise made isn't always a promise kept," as Olivarez grapples with the contradictions of the American Dream laying bare the ways in which "love is complicated by forces larger than our hearts.""-- Provided by publisher
Jose Olivarez Books
José Olivarez, the child of Mexican immigrants, crafts poetry that delves into themes of identity, community, and the immigrant experience. His writing is marked by a profound social consciousness and a style that blends personal narrative with broader societal concerns. Olivarez's voice is both urgent and tender, focusing unflinchingly on the experiences of those often pushed to the margins. Through his work, he seeks to foster dialogue and understanding, establishing himself as a vital voice in contemporary literature.


Citizen Illegal
- 69 pages
- 3 hours of reading
Citizen Illegal is a revealing portrait of life as a first generation immigrant, a celebration of Chicano joy, a shout against erasure, and a vibrant re-imagining of Mexican American life.