Guabancex

by Celia A Sorhaindo

£6.50

ISBN

9781999776879

Published

2020

Format

Paperback
also an eBook

ISBN

9781999776879

Published

2020

Format

Paperback
also an eBook

On 18 September 2017, a category 5 hurricane, the worst in recorded history, hit the Caribbean island of Dominica. Hurricane Maria destroyed lives and land. Nothing would be the same again. Guabancex, the first published collection of poems by Celia A Sorhaindo, explores the complex mix of experiences and emotions, both during and after the event. Guabancex was longlisted for the Bocas Lit Fest award in 2021, one of three poetry collections selected for arguably the most distinguished literary award in the Caribbean.

Listen to Celia Sorhaindo read some of her poems in the Poetry Archive (“Listen to the world’s best poetry read out aloud.”). Two of these poems, In The Air and What Do I Know, were published in Guabancex, her collection about Hurricane Maria.

Guabancex was longlisted for the Bocas Lit Prize 2021.

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Poetry by Celia A Sorhaindo

The En Papillote series of readings by Papillote Press authors continues with a reading by the Dominican poet Celia A Sorhaindo from her admired collection Guabancex about Hurricane Maria. Each video is introduced by publisher Polly Pattullo.

What they say

A new voice that speaks with sensitivity, maturity and assurance out of a horrendous experience. The final poem Hurricane PraXis (Xorcising Maria Xperience) is a tour de force.
– John Robert Lee

Such frank witnessing… she skilfully captures the extreme terror and everyday urge to carry on.
– Malika Booker

The blurring of the lines between realism and mythology elevate it… deeply personal, uncensored, and accessible to the very people she writes about.
– Joanne Hillhouse

What stands out most for me is the way the poet both calls in and questions religious faith in the face of carnage.
– Mat Riches, Sphinx, poetry pamphlet reviews and features

What holds the collection together is the overarching theme of language as the ultimate resource to address trauma and shock.
– Eric Doumerc, Miranda

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THIS ISLAND
A new voice that speaks with sensitivity, maturity and assurance out of a horrendous experience. The final poem Hurricane PraXis (Xorcising Maria Xperience) is a tour de force.
– John Robert Lee

Such frank witnessing… she skilfully captures the extreme terror and everyday urge to carry on.
– Malika Booker

The blurring of the lines between realism and mythology elevate it… deeply personal, uncensored, and accessible to the very people she writes about.
– Joanne Hillhouse

What stands out most for me is the way the poet both calls in and questions religious faith in the face of carnage.
– Mat Riches, Sphinx, poetry pamphlet reviews and features

About the Author

Celia A Sorhaindo

Celia Sorhaindo was born in Dominica and left with her family for England in 1976. She returned to Dominica in 2005 where she now lives. Guabancex is her first poetry collection.

Celia A Sorhaindo

Celia Sorhaindo was born in Dominica and left with her family for England in 1976. She returned to Dominica in 2005 where she now lives. Guabancex is her first poetry collection.