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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
As an Afro-Caribbean woman, I was so excited to read this book. I can’t believe two sisters wrote this book. Their writing meshed well. I enjoyed reading about Haitian culture and reading about the polar opposite lives of the citizens. I must say the book was a drag for the first 2 parts which is why it took me so long to finish it. Once I got to part three, things picked up and I was invested. The book was a nice blend of magic, drama, mystery, history and culture. I’m glad I ended my black history month reads with the novel.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite is a fantastic book overall, the main character, Alaine, is strong-willed and courageous. The supporting characters have enough book time to get emotional results, minus one, what more could you want? Overall, on paper, the book has IT. The black main character of the story, like myself, is going to the motherland of Haiti and she's sassy? Count me in. The fact that this was written by two authors shocked me, I didn't realize it whatsoever. It was seamless in the way that it was written. The style was unique to the book itself, but I didn't particularly enjoy it. It caused me to become distracted or become uninterested. I get the concept of the style, but it didn't work for me as having both the current style and prose included. The voice was marvelous, especially for the main character and her father.
I loved the voice so much. One character that I didn't think got enough screen time was the mother. From the start, I didn’t care much about her. Within the span of 100 pages, we get every plot point that the book should have spread out. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop me from loving the book and the story taking place. However, I got burnt out after the first 150 pages. Setting up the scene throughout might have been better in a 400-page book. It then results in asking yourself, “well what can happen in the next 300 pages?” Like I stated before, the voice, the narrative, the characters are all fantastically written. If I had a dollar for every time I said “Yas!” when Alaine said something, I would be rich. I had so much fun reading her voice. It was so me. I would say this book did what it intended. It not only gave a black character a voice but a black family. Haiti. Black supporting characters. It set the scene well from the start.
While not every aspect is perfect, it did what it intended and excelled at it. I purposely did not talk about any plot points that I enjoyed leaving this as a non-spoiler review. If you want to know what happens, read this book. It's one to pick up, and while the unique letters, emails, and diary narrative don't always work for me, it could work very well for you! :)
I loved the voice so much. One character that I didn't think got enough screen time was the mother. From the start, I didn’t care much about her. Within the span of 100 pages, we get every plot point that the book should have spread out. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop me from loving the book and the story taking place. However, I got burnt out after the first 150 pages. Setting up the scene throughout might have been better in a 400-page book. It then results in asking yourself, “well what can happen in the next 300 pages?” Like I stated before, the voice, the narrative, the characters are all fantastically written. If I had a dollar for every time I said “Yas!” when Alaine said something, I would be rich. I had so much fun reading her voice. It was so me. I would say this book did what it intended. It not only gave a black character a voice but a black family. Haiti. Black supporting characters. It set the scene well from the start.
While not every aspect is perfect, it did what it intended and excelled at it. I purposely did not talk about any plot points that I enjoyed leaving this as a non-spoiler review. If you want to know what happens, read this book. It's one to pick up, and while the unique letters, emails, and diary narrative don't always work for me, it could work very well for you! :)
This was such a beautiful coming of age type story and I really enjoyed the epistolary style writing. I haven’t read many books that included letters in the text, but while reading it I felt like I was getting a look into a secret diary entry.
Wish I had started this earlier in the summer. Once school starts, it’s difficult to find reading time! Really enjoyed getting to know Alaine, her family, and Haiti. Excited that the author’s note promises more love letters to Haiti.
Captivating Quote:
“Words make us. They destroy us.”
Overall, great read. If some parts of this novel were omitted I think the story would’ve moved along quicker and possibly be better without particular detailed sections.
This book includes all thing curse, culture, sacrifice, voodoo, secrets, family & trust
“Words make us. They destroy us.”
Overall, great read. If some parts of this novel were omitted I think the story would’ve moved along quicker and possibly be better without particular detailed sections.
This book includes all thing curse, culture, sacrifice, voodoo, secrets, family & trust
This book is perfect for:
People who like books in diary form
People who like a touch of magical realism
People who love vacation/study abroad YA
Alaine is smart, and funny and a little bit quirky. As the daughter of Haitian immigrants she has a relationship with her homeland that makes her feel not-quite American and not-quite Haitian. When her absentee journalist mother has a meltdown on National television, her world is turned upside down. A school project goes awry at the same time that a school bully pushes her over the edge and that means a one-way ticket to the homeland she's never learned to love firsthand.
Written in diary entries along with text messages, newspaper clippings and emails we get to see the real Haiti through her eyes while she tries to break the family curse that has left her exiled, her beloved aunt unmarried, and her mother suffering from a terrible disease.
I loved the book, even when I found the emails, text messages and other ephemera a little jarring. But that's just me. There have been a number of books lately that use the same method of storytelling that I just couldn't get through, but the plot of Dear, Haiti kept me engaged.
There is a love interest, but it doesn't overtake the story. The themes that matter most are family and secrets, and the best secrets are always family secrets, because those hurt the most. The idea of Haiti being a hellscape of poverty is smashed as well as the idea that there is only one immigrant story to tell in America. We forget about Haiti, but after reading this story you never will. I suggest reading this book poolside or beachside with your journal nearby.
If you like this then try...
Great by Sara Benincasa
It's a Great Gatsby retelling set in a seaside town and featuring a bi protagonist. You'll get the same beachy feeling that you get from Dear Haiti with a little mystery thrown in.
People who like books in diary form
People who like a touch of magical realism
People who love vacation/study abroad YA
Alaine is smart, and funny and a little bit quirky. As the daughter of Haitian immigrants she has a relationship with her homeland that makes her feel not-quite American and not-quite Haitian. When her absentee journalist mother has a meltdown on National television, her world is turned upside down. A school project goes awry at the same time that a school bully pushes her over the edge and that means a one-way ticket to the homeland she's never learned to love firsthand.
Written in diary entries along with text messages, newspaper clippings and emails we get to see the real Haiti through her eyes while she tries to break the family curse that has left her exiled, her beloved aunt unmarried, and her mother suffering from a terrible disease.
I loved the book, even when I found the emails, text messages and other ephemera a little jarring. But that's just me. There have been a number of books lately that use the same method of storytelling that I just couldn't get through, but the plot of Dear, Haiti kept me engaged.
There is a love interest, but it doesn't overtake the story. The themes that matter most are family and secrets, and the best secrets are always family secrets, because those hurt the most. The idea of Haiti being a hellscape of poverty is smashed as well as the idea that there is only one immigrant story to tell in America. We forget about Haiti, but after reading this story you never will. I suggest reading this book poolside or beachside with your journal nearby.
If you like this then try...
Great by Sara Benincasa
It's a Great Gatsby retelling set in a seaside town and featuring a bi protagonist. You'll get the same beachy feeling that you get from Dear Haiti with a little mystery thrown in.
I struggled with this book's structure. It felt like there was never a rhythm or pattern to the various journals, notes, transcripts, texts, emails, and memos that made up the structure. If there had been a clearer delineation between them or if they were paired with any kind of dialogue/narrative it might have worked better for me. As it were, I found myself fatigued by the back and forth and any redeeming qualities of the plot got lost in navigating where and when events were taking place. DNF
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I am excited to see the book in finished/published format as I am a sucker for books with unique styling such as emails, bits and bobs (thinking of you Illuminae and Carbon Diaries). Sadly, the digital arc was a bit hard to decipher at times as the order of bold or red type was out of place.
As for the story itself, I enjoyed the first half of the book very much. I love that Alaine ended up in Haiti to reconnect/recover her heritage, but the family curse confused the hell out of me and I still don't know what to make of it.
I also appreciate how the authors covered alzheimer's as it seems to be a missed topic, especially in YA fiction, so kudos to them! Hoping for more with Alaine's story and more from the authors!
I am excited to see the book in finished/published format as I am a sucker for books with unique styling such as emails, bits and bobs (thinking of you Illuminae and Carbon Diaries). Sadly, the digital arc was a bit hard to decipher at times as the order of bold or red type was out of place.
As for the story itself, I enjoyed the first half of the book very much. I love that Alaine ended up in Haiti to reconnect/recover her heritage, but the family curse confused the hell out of me and I still don't know what to make of it.
I also appreciate how the authors covered alzheimer's as it seems to be a missed topic, especially in YA fiction, so kudos to them! Hoping for more with Alaine's story and more from the authors!
I don’t think this book knows what it wants to be: Lesson Learned, Coming of Age, Dealing with Destiny, Curse Reversal, Fish out of Water ... the list could continue for several lines.
A good editor could focus the plot. There are a ton of pop culture references that may or may not be recognizable to readers (I’m an Old Lady, and I thought some of the inclusions were try-hard and unwarranted, but maybe YA readers would be more receptive?)
I’m not sure how to feel, because I like the idea of a book about Haiti that doesn’t focus on negatives, but I don’t think this is a great example of that. On the other hand, there might not be a lot of other books that focus on Haiti, so maybe I shouldn’t complain? You see my dilemma.
I received a digital arc from netgalley.
A good editor could focus the plot. There are a ton of pop culture references that may or may not be recognizable to readers (I’m an Old Lady, and I thought some of the inclusions were try-hard and unwarranted, but maybe YA readers would be more receptive?)
I’m not sure how to feel, because I like the idea of a book about Haiti that doesn’t focus on negatives, but I don’t think this is a great example of that. On the other hand, there might not be a lot of other books that focus on Haiti, so maybe I shouldn’t complain? You see my dilemma.
I received a digital arc from netgalley.