Tertulia

by Vincent Toro
Tertulia cover
Good Books rating 4.22
Poetry
Technical
  • ID: 1608
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780525507000
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2020-06-02
  • Reviews: 4

Vincent Toro's 'Tertulia' is a dynamic poetry collection that reimagines the Latin American tradition of artistic social gatherings for the Latinx experience in the United States. Through dense, juxtaposed verses, Toro delves into themes of immigration, economics, colonialism, and race, using sublime imagery from music, visual art, and history. The collection is a kaleidoscopic vision that connects the personal and the political, the local and the global, celebrating and questioning the human condition. Inspired by Toro's social justice work across various U.S. cities, 'Tertulia' offers a profound exploration of identity and society. The poems are rich with cultural references and personal narratives, making it a compelling read for those interested in the intersection of art and activism.

Reviews
English Kills Review · 2020-09-03
powerful 4.50

The collection is recommended for its examination of the human condition at the intersection of colonialism. The reviewer finds the poet's work to be a powerful exploration of contemporary issues.

The English Kills Review recommends Vincent Toro's Tertulia for its powerful examination of the human condition at the intersection of colonialism. The reviewer appreciates the poet's ability to explore contemporary issues with depth and nuance, making the collection a must-read for those interested in the Puerto Rican experience. They also highlight the poet's energetic and engaging style, which makes the collection both accessible and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Vincent Toro's latest collection of poetry examines the human condition at the intersection of colonialism.

    The collection is a powerful exploration of contemporary issues with depth and nuance.

    Toro's energetic and engaging style makes the collection both accessible and thought-provoking.

Electric Literature · 2020-06-25
thought-provoking 4.20

The collection is seen as a political meeting disguised as a party, examining heavy themes with a light touch. The reviewer appreciates the poet's ability to blend political commentary with personal narratives.

Electric Literature's reviewer views Vincent Toro's Tertulia as a political meeting disguised as a party, highlighting how the poet tackles themes of money, violence, and colonialism with a light touch. They find the collection to be a refreshing take on the Puerto Rican diaspora, blending political commentary with personal narratives in a way that is both thought-provoking and accessible. The reviewer also notes the poet's ability to create a sense of community and shared experience through his work.

Quick quotes

    Like the salons it's named for, Tertulia is a political meeting disguised as a party.

    Vincent Toro's poems examine money, violence, colonialism, and the Puerto Rican diaspora with a light touch.

    The collection creates a sense of community and shared experience that is both thought-provoking and accessible.

The New York Times · 2020-06-09
engaging 4.00

The collection is praised for its fluid and expansive exploration of the Puerto Rican experience. The reviewer highlights the poet's ability to capture the spirit of tertulia in his work.

The New York Times reviewer appreciates the fluid and expansive nature of Vincent Toro's poetry collection, noting how it effectively captures the essence of tertulia. They find the exploration of the Puerto Rican experience in the new millennium both energetic and engaging. The reviewer also commends the poet's ability to weave together themes of money, violence, and colonialism in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.

Quick quotes

    A fluid, expansive new collection from a poet whose work dazzles with [an] energetic exploration of the Puerto Rican experience in the new millennium.

    Tertulia captures the spirit of a gathering for people to share their creations and ideas.

    The collection goes far to capture the spirit of tertulia, making it a must-read for poetry enthusiasts.

Goodreads · 2020-06-02
engaging 4.20

The collection is lauded for its fluid and expansive style. Readers find it a dazzling exploration of the Puerto Rican experience.

Goodreads reviewers consistently praise Vincent Toro's collection for its fluid and expansive style, which dazzles with an energetic exploration of the Puerto Rican experience. They appreciate the collection's ability to capture the essence of a tertulia, a gathering for sharing creations and ideas. The poems are seen as a vibrant and important contribution to contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    A fluid, expansive new collection from a poet whose work dazzles with an energetic exploration of the Puerto Rican experience in the new millennium.

    This poetry collection goes far to capture the spirit of a tertulia.

    Toro's work is a stunning and important book that illuminates Latinx culture.

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