What You Have Heard Is True by Carolyn Forché was Jonathan Blitzer’s second recommendation.
Below is what my research turned up and why it is now in line to read.
This memoir is a powerful, high-stakes journey that sits at the intersection of poetry, politics, and survival. It is a perfect choice for your Audible library during those long nature photography sessions, as it is deeply atmospheric and thought-provoking.
🌟 Reason to Read
You should read What You Have Heard Is True because it is a rare, first-hand account of the moral awakening of an artist. It reads like a high-octane political thriller, yet it is written with the precision of a world-class poet. If you are interested in how ordinary people are swept up into extraordinary historical moments—specifically the prelude to the civil war in El Salvador—this book is a masterclass in “bearing witness.”
- Carolyn Forché
- Memoir
- Rich
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In 1978, a mysterious man named Leonel Gómez Vides arrived at poet Carolyn Forché’s doorstep in California. He invited her to El Salvador, not for a vacation, but to “see” the reality of a country on the brink of collapse.
Despite having no background in journalism or international relations, Forché accepted. The memoir follows her journey through the Salvadoran countryside and the corridors of power. She becomes a student of the landscape, the people, and the encroaching violence. The book culminates in her witnessing the birth of a revolution and the personal cost of choosing to stay and document the truth when everyone else is turning away.⭐ Reviews
The New York Times:
“A work of terrible beauty. Forché’s prose is as sharp as a diamond. This is a book that demands we look at the world’s suffering and asks us what we are prepared to do about it.”
The Guardian:
“A gripping, cinematic memoir. It is a profound meditation on the role of the outsider in a time of crisis. Forché writes with a poet’s eye for detail and a survivor’s urgency.”🎙️ Audible Note
The What You Have Heard Is True audiobook is narrated by Carolyn Forché herself.
As a poet, Forché has a rhythmic, soulful, and deliberate speaking voice. Because the book is so personal, hearing her recount these life-altering events in her own voice adds a layer of gravity and intimacy that is truly remarkable. It is a 13-hour listen that will make the time fly by while you are waiting in the field.