![Cover of from unincorporated territory [åmot] by Craig Santos Perez](https://pub-248ad1cfa0ae4596a6353007b493f439.r2.dev/covers/0978992962.jpg)
from unincorporated territory [åmot]
by Craig Santos Perez
This collection offers a unique perspective on identity and place through experimental poetic forms.
Difficulty
Moderate
Pace
Measured
Mood
reflective, cultural
Book club
High
Is this book for you?
Read this if you enjoy
- innovative poetry
- works that challenge traditional forms
- explorations of cultural identity
Consider another book if
- you prefer straightforward narratives
- are looking for conventional poetry
- want a light read
What it is about
"from unincorporated territory [åmot]" is a poetry collection by Craig Santos Perez that explores themes of identity, colonization, and cultural heritage. The book is structured in a series of interconnected poems that reflect on the author's Chamorro heritage. It addresses the complexities of living in a territory that is neither fully incorporated into the United States nor entirely independent.
The poems incorporate elements of personal narrative, history, and environmental concerns. Perez uses language to evoke the beauty and struggles of his homeland, Guam. The collection also engages with the impact of colonialism on indigenous peoples.
It reflects on the relationship between language and identity, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation. The author employs various forms and styles, blending traditional and contemporary poetic techniques. Throughout the work, there is a focus on memory and the act of remembering.
Ultimately, the collection serves as a meditation on belonging and the search for self in a post-colonial context.
Award recognition
2023 winner
National Book Award for Poetry
United States · Poetry
Reader comments
Loading comments…
Similar award-winning books
Selected from shared categories, regions, award history, and reading profiles.

New and Selected Poems
by Marie Howe
Shares themes of identity.
The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems
by Patricia Smith
Shares themes of identity.

Something About Living
by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha
Shares themes of identity and memory.