Poetry: The Wild Book by Margarita Engle

Engle, Margarita. 2012. The Wild Book. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing. ISBN 9780574581316

Summary

The Wild Book shares the story of a young girl’s struggle with “word-blindness”, known today as dyslexia. Based on the stories told by her grandmother, Margarita Engle takes the reader through the trials and tribulations that a Cuban family endures in 1912. The story is told from the perspective of Fefa, the suffering child. After being hostilely diagnosed with word-blindness by a doctor, Fefa’s mother gives her a book filled with blank pages and tells her to “think of it as a garden… throw wildflower seeds all over the page...let the words sprout like seedlings…watch as your wild diary grows.” Fefa’s diary fills with words…words of frustration over her dyslexia, words of fear as thieves threaten their home, words of sadness as her brother teeters between life and death, and finally, words of gladness as she overcomes her inability to read and write.

Analysis

Written as a verse novel, The Wild Book takes the reader through a collection of poems, fused together to create one epic tale. Engle organizes her work into short lines of three to five words that convey Fefa’s strong feelings. There is no rhythmic meter to the poetry, however, the separation of words between lines and the lines into stanzas display strong emotions. When Engle writes of Fefa’s slow progression, each word is placed on a different line to really transmit the struggle she endures.

The entire story revolves around the metaphor that Fefa’s book is a garden, sprouting seedlings letters that eventually grow into strong, recognizable words.  Similes are presented throughout as Fefa grows into a stronger reader and writer. At one point, Fefa describes her letters as “loopy and beautiful…like the tendrils of a garden vine as it climbs over a tall fence to go exploring.”

This poignant language is shared amongst all the pages of the novel. The reader is able to visualize and empathize with Fefa as struggles arise. When her brother is accidentally wounded at his own hand, the imagery created by Engle resonates with the reader… “I tremble and weep as Mama binds the ghastly wound in a frantic effort to slow the savage waterfall of bleeding.” This remarkable language is present from beginning to end, whether the mood is joyful or distressing.

The importance of Cuban and Nicaraguan poetry is emulated through the mother, who not only shares this poetry with her family, but names two of her sons after famous Nicaraguan poets. Poetry is shared amongst family and community members at several different points.  In the author’s note, Engle shares her inspiration for the story and mentions that, in the early 1900s, “poetry was a treasured aspect of daily life.”

Engle’s vivid language facilitates the understanding of the struggles within the family each and every day. The reader can truly comprehend each and every emotion conveyed through the writing…fear, pain, frustration, love, and happiness. A natural emotion is expressed as an overarching theme of perseverance resides.

Personal Response

The Wild Book is one of the best books I have read that rests under the large poetry umbrella. Throughout the entire story, I was entranced by Engle’s vivid language. This verse novel would be a great source for getting young readers interested in poetry, as it takes a different approach in a narrative format.

Reviews 

“Spare, dreamlike verse pairs perfectly with a first-person narrator whose understanding of written language is unique.”- Horn Book

“The author gives readers a portrait of a tumultuous period in Cuban history and skillfully integrates island flora, fauna and mythology into Fefa's first-person tale. This canvas heightens Fefa's determination to rise above the expectations of her siblings, peers and society. A beautiful tale of perseverance.” –Kirkus Reviews

Connections

The Wild Book is not only a wonderful example of quality poetry, but also a story that lends itself to discussions of the differences students have in learning capabilities. Reading this with a class or small group can build empathy within students, teaching them to understand and accept the different ways that their peers may learn. Character building is a large part of today’s education systems.

After learning about the dangers presented to Fefa’s family, students can research life in Cuba both in the early 1900s and today. They can compare and contrast what they learn, then write about how Fefa’s life would be different if she lived in present day Cuba and suffered from word-blindness.