Long before the Brothers Grimm’s early 1800’s “Snow White” stood inquisitively in front of the mirror, our ancestors had stood in front of any reflective surface they could find, inquiring about beauty and the self. In her book Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut., Elaine Nadal provokes us with a surprising new take on old questions on the complexity of being human. Her voice makes us take a fresh look at ourselves in the mirror, confronting us with ubiquitous ailments such as oppression, displacement, trauma and disaffection.
Nadal’s prophetic voice calls us to action against rampant crime in society. Her bold lyricism ignites the mind of the reader. I have no doubt that in Elaine Nadal we have a poetic voice that will keep us alert for years to come.
–Marianela Medrano, Dominican author, author of Rooting (Owllfeather Collective, 2017)
You move to the rhythm, especially as you read each verse aloud, not afraid to dance around her fire. You hear each song. There is nothing extraneous. Love, betrayal, pain, identity, female strength, self-doubt, self-affirmation — all is essence.
–Gemma Mathewson, Poetry Institute co-host, Poetry of Immigrants co-host
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