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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
There was a lot of ingenuity to this book, from the various epistolary forms (school project, emails, chats, diary entries, etc.) to the navigation of a curse that baffles the Westernized mindset of some of the characters in diaspora. I absolutely loved the focus on Haitian characters and Haitian culture, particularly in regard to postcolonial histories. The shift from the first half of the book to the second was a little jarring; I had a hard time finding my footing with the ancestors' letters and their generational past. In addition, there were some plot elements toward the end that felt unnecessarily dramatic, leaving the narrator with little time to process them. All in all, though, this was a fun and interesting read.
Alaine, the snarky, self-aware narrator of "Dear Haiti, Love Alaine," brings a unique perspective to the coming-of-age story. Her witty observations and sarcastic humor make for a refreshing read. While the novel offers a glimpse into Haitian culture and the complexities of family relationships, it sometimes feels a bit scattered, jumping between different storylines without fully developing them.
While Alaine's voice is undeniably captivating, the plot itself lacks a strong central focus, making it difficult to fully invest in her journey. Despite its flaws, "Dear Haiti, Love Alaine" is a quick and entertaining read for those seeking a lighthearted story with a touch of cultural insight.
While Alaine's voice is undeniably captivating, the plot itself lacks a strong central focus, making it difficult to fully invest in her journey. Despite its flaws, "Dear Haiti, Love Alaine" is a quick and entertaining read for those seeking a lighthearted story with a touch of cultural insight.
Fresh off the plane from Haiti, I was eager to grab this off my TBR list. It isnt often you come across fiction that centers Haiti, especially in a positive light. The Moulites' love for their country shines through in this contemporary novel that highlights Haiti's elite, its history and the dichotomy between the haves and have-nots. I loved revisiting the historical sites in and around Cap.
Some readers might be turned off by the mixed storytelling (emails, texts, letters) and the snarkiness of the 17 yo protagonist..I think it works well for a contemporary YA novel and a.younger reader may find it sometimes humorous.
Some readers might be turned off by the mixed storytelling (emails, texts, letters) and the snarkiness of the 17 yo protagonist..I think it works well for a contemporary YA novel and a.younger reader may find it sometimes humorous.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
My teen self would have loved this book. As an adult, I enjoyed it. I liked the longer chapters with story and the shorter texts and emails between family and friends that helped move the story forward.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story about a plucky young woman with a huge personality and the courage to match it made good on its promise to take the reader on a twisty journey: it is dense, jam-packed with information, and was--truth be told--a job to get through. However, Alaine's unique ancestry project gave the reader insight into her fearlessly unfiltered perspective as an ambitious student and daughter; it kept me far too invested to even consider giving up.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
excellent! I adored this very charming epistolary novel set in Miami and Haiti. the trip through Haitian history was wonderful and even more so by infusing it with first person POV as the narrator takes us on a time-travelling voyage. I loved the disability rep as well, very powerful statement against eugenics