Atlantic County Library System

Uncovered Review by Collette Jones, ACLS Egg Harbor City Branch

The cover art for José Olivarez’s poetry collection PROMISES OF GOLD features a striking image of a wrestling mask, which symbolizes various themes explored in the book. Olivarez’s work often delves into the complexities of Mexican-American identity, love, and family. The wrestling mask can be seen as a metaphor for the different roles and identities people navigate in their lives. This collection of poems, written in English and combined with a Spanish translation from David Ruano, delves into various forms of love—self-love, familial love, romantic love, and the love for one’s culture and heritage.

Olivarez’s poetry is marked by its raw honesty and emotional depth. He navigates the contradictions of the American Dream with a keen eye, revealing how love and identity are often complicated by larger societal forces. In poems like “Ode to Tortillas,” Olivarez humorously yet poignantly addresses the duality of being a Mexican writer, caught between the expectations of writing about migration and the reality of living it. This duality is a recurring theme, as Olivarez reflects on his own experiences and those of his community.

One of the standout aspects of PROMISES OF GOLD is its bilingual nature. The inclusion of Spanish translations not only broadens the accessibility of the poems but also emphasizes the cultural bridge that Olivarez builds through his work. This is particularly evident in poems like “On the Signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement,” where the repetition of generational struggles is captured in both languages, underscoring the shared pain and resilience of the Mexican-American community.

Olivarez’s exploration of cultural identity is deeply personal yet universally relatable. He writes about the distant relationships between Mexican fathers and their sons, the devout faith of Mexican mothers, and the impact of economic hardship on families. These themes resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds, offering a window into the Mexican-American experience while also highlighting the commonalities of human emotion and connection.

PROMISES OF GOLD is a beautifully crafted collection that invites readers to reflect on their own identities and the forces that shape them. Olivarez’s voice is both unique and resonant, making this book a valuable addition to contemporary poetry.