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adrose18's review against another edition
4.0
This book works if you think of it of a series of scenes or a travel journey. If you try to pull more out of it, you'll likely be disappointed. Some very interesting lines and ideas scattered throughout.
melissasarahrobinson's review against another edition
2.0
While this was a pleasant enough read, I was disappointed. I've loved some of Julia Alvarez's other works and couldn't wait to pick this one up. Her writing style is wonderful and that helped carry the book. I can't help think that she should have used her experiences to write a novel-- she's so talented at taking life and turning it into meaningful fiction.
julissadantes's review against another edition
3.0
[ESP]
Fue decepcionante pero interesante
Me gustan los libros que exponen de manera tan cruda vivencias ajenas a mi persona, pero aunque este libro en contenido tenia exactamente eso, la narrativa no fue entretenida. Lo que pensé que seria un relato cautivador se convirtió en una historia que no inspiraba a seguir siendo leída.
La autora narra su amistad con Piti, uno de los haitianos que laboraba en el campo, desde su perspectiva, y aunque al principio fue interesante ver su trayecto a Haití, su motivación para ir, y cómo se vio todo para ella y Bill, el esposo, termino siendo más de lo mismo aunque con otra motivación, creí que leer de la reacción al terremoto de Haití desde esta perspectiva seria estimulante, en cambio fue cansón.
[ENG]
It was disappointing but interesting
I like books that so crudely expose experiences alien to me, but although this book had exactly that in content, the narrative was not entertaining. What I thought would be a compelling tale turned into a story that did not inspire further reading.
The author narrates her friendship with Piti, one of the Haitians who worked in the fields, from her perspective, and although at first it was interesting to see her journey to Haiti, her motivation to go, and how everything looked for her and Bill, the husband, I ended up being more of the same although with another motivation, I thought that reading about the reaction to the earthquake in Haiti from this perspective would be stimulating, instead it was tiring.
Fue decepcionante pero interesante
Me gustan los libros que exponen de manera tan cruda vivencias ajenas a mi persona, pero aunque este libro en contenido tenia exactamente eso, la narrativa no fue entretenida. Lo que pensé que seria un relato cautivador se convirtió en una historia que no inspiraba a seguir siendo leída.
La autora narra su amistad con Piti, uno de los haitianos que laboraba en el campo, desde su perspectiva, y aunque al principio fue interesante ver su trayecto a Haití, su motivación para ir, y cómo se vio todo para ella y Bill, el esposo, termino siendo más de lo mismo aunque con otra motivación, creí que leer de la reacción al terremoto de Haití desde esta perspectiva seria estimulante, en cambio fue cansón.
[ENG]
It was disappointing but interesting
I like books that so crudely expose experiences alien to me, but although this book had exactly that in content, the narrative was not entertaining. What I thought would be a compelling tale turned into a story that did not inspire further reading.
The author narrates her friendship with Piti, one of the Haitians who worked in the fields, from her perspective, and although at first it was interesting to see her journey to Haiti, her motivation to go, and how everything looked for her and Bill, the husband, I ended up being more of the same although with another motivation, I thought that reading about the reaction to the earthquake in Haiti from this perspective would be stimulating, instead it was tiring.
johannalm's review
4.0
A Wedding in Haiti, Julia Alvarez
Alvarez wrote one of my favorite books ever - In the Time of the Butterflies - so reading a memoir by her seemed intriguing, especially when a Dominican-American woman is writing about getting to know the people and culture of her countries's close but maligned neighbor Haiti.
After making a promise to a young Haitian man who works on her coffee plantation in the DR, Alvarez and her husband travel to a remote part of Haiti for his wedding. This first trip, along with a second six months after the earthquake, allows Alvarez to pass on the very sad history of the country while also discussing the real issues of devastating poverty that plague the country today. Alvarez writes in a frank and straightforward way about her fears and anxieties while traveling in a country lacking most basic amenities, along with the warm welcome she gets from the wedding families. She and her husband bicker, many tough situations scare her, and the extreme poverty of the country saddens her.
This is a small book that looks at large issues - prejudice, poverty, community, and also people's natural goodness
Alvarez wrote one of my favorite books ever - In the Time of the Butterflies - so reading a memoir by her seemed intriguing, especially when a Dominican-American woman is writing about getting to know the people and culture of her countries's close but maligned neighbor Haiti.
After making a promise to a young Haitian man who works on her coffee plantation in the DR, Alvarez and her husband travel to a remote part of Haiti for his wedding. This first trip, along with a second six months after the earthquake, allows Alvarez to pass on the very sad history of the country while also discussing the real issues of devastating poverty that plague the country today. Alvarez writes in a frank and straightforward way about her fears and anxieties while traveling in a country lacking most basic amenities, along with the warm welcome she gets from the wedding families. She and her husband bicker, many tough situations scare her, and the extreme poverty of the country saddens her.
This is a small book that looks at large issues - prejudice, poverty, community, and also people's natural goodness
astuenkel's review
4.0
As someone who has visited Haiti twice and is planning to again, I enjoyed this book. The author visited Haiti before and after the earthquake. I always enjoy learning a little more about Haiti. It has a complex history.
She has some profound things to say and this is my favorite: There’s a Creole saying that God’s pencil has no eraser. Haiti is not erased. “Haiti is what cannot be erased in a human being, not with slavery, not with centuries of exploitation and bad management, invasions, earthquakes, hurricanes, cholera. It embodies those undervalued but increasingly valuable skills we will need to survive on this slowly depleting planet: endurance, how to live with less, how to save by sharing, how to make a pact with hope when you find yourself in hell."
She has some profound things to say and this is my favorite: There’s a Creole saying that God’s pencil has no eraser. Haiti is not erased. “Haiti is what cannot be erased in a human being, not with slavery, not with centuries of exploitation and bad management, invasions, earthquakes, hurricanes, cholera. It embodies those undervalued but increasingly valuable skills we will need to survive on this slowly depleting planet: endurance, how to live with less, how to save by sharing, how to make a pact with hope when you find yourself in hell."
imareader2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
4.0
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The title's a little misleading. I thought the part about Haiti after the earthquake was more interesting than the events surrounding the wedding.
duffymn's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate enough to hear Julia Alvarez present her ideas and photos about this book before it was written two summers ago in Vermont. I have never been so moved in my life. She had just returned from her second trip to Haiti only a week before, and everything was fresh and raw in her mind. It had only been 6 months since the earthquake and things remained a mess.
Alvarez has always been one of my favorite writers. I have taught her books, and she is a real person who write what she knows. As I read A Wedding in Haiti, I felt like an old friend was relaying her experiences to me.
I have been waiting on pins and needles for this book to come out. Please read it. The humility of someone unable to fix an impoverished country is real. There's no glory in her visits, just to see and spend time with those she cares about.
Alvarez has always been one of my favorite writers. I have taught her books, and she is a real person who write what she knows. As I read A Wedding in Haiti, I felt like an old friend was relaying her experiences to me.
I have been waiting on pins and needles for this book to come out. Please read it. The humility of someone unable to fix an impoverished country is real. There's no glory in her visits, just to see and spend time with those she cares about.