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christajls's review against another edition
3.0
This review originally appears on More Than Just Magic
In 2010 a massive earthquake destroyed Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. In only thirty-five seconds 200,000 people died and more than a million were left homeless. It’s impossible to forget those early days after the earthquake – it dominated the news. Now, a few years later, we don’t hear as much about it. Which is why when I first heard about Dimitry Elias Léger’s novel, about the days following the earthquake, I knew I had to read it. The effects of this natural disaster are still felt across the country and the people are still mourning those they lost and trying to rebuild. It’s important that we don’t forget what happened.
I expected God Loves Haiti to provide an insider’s view into what Port-au-Prince was like in those early days. I expected it to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of having the international community so invested in their recovery. But what I didn’t anticipate was just how Léger would explore these issues. Instead of focusing on the bigger picture, Léger broke down the situation into three distinct points of view.
“They tell me the stats without giving me the resources to change the situation, knowing full we can’t generate the resources on our own.”
1) The President – This is a man frustrated by how little his position means, how little power he actually has. Previously he has grown a little disillusioned with his country, and its people’s ability to pull themselves together. But the earthquake has given him some perspective. It allows him to see there are ways to help his people and that Haiti is about more than him and his job. It’s about a people and a culture who have survived against all odds.
“The Americans, like the French before them, want nothing more than to make those decisions for us.”
2) Alain – In many ways Alain is the President’s polar opposite. Unlike the President, Alain had never once lost hope that Haiti had a bright future ahead. Until the earthquake that is. The earthquake took everything he loved from him – his girlfriend, his home, his city. Injured and alone he doesn’t go home or try and make contact with his family. Instead he stays in the refugee camp and lives with the rest of the survivors. Through him we see some of the dichotomy of Haitian society, but also the diversity of the people and their will to survive.
“Haitians found facing the future to be exquisitely difficult after the most reliable thing they had ever known in their life, the ground they stood on, had decided to violently betray them without warning.”
3) Natasha – Natasha may be the most complex character of them all. She’s an artist, and a dreamer. But she’s also a bit of a pragmatist. She’s the melting pot of the ideas that separate The President and Alain – fitting since they are both enamoured by her. Minutes before the earthquake Natasha was prepared to leave Haiti behind forever. She had locked her lover (Alain) in the closet and was going to hop of a plane with her husband (The President) and disappear into the Italian countryside. She had given her country her soul via her art and she was ready to let go. But there’s nothing like a near death experience to make you reconsider your choices.
At times God Loves Haiti can be a bit heavy handed. There is a message that Léger wants to communicate and it is obvious throughout. But it’s not because he doesn’t trust the reader to figure it out for themselves. It’s because it’s too important to waste time being subtle. This novel provides a quick, but enlightening glance into a country that we really only hear about when tragedy strikes. We need more books like this.
In 2010 a massive earthquake destroyed Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. In only thirty-five seconds 200,000 people died and more than a million were left homeless. It’s impossible to forget those early days after the earthquake – it dominated the news. Now, a few years later, we don’t hear as much about it. Which is why when I first heard about Dimitry Elias Léger’s novel, about the days following the earthquake, I knew I had to read it. The effects of this natural disaster are still felt across the country and the people are still mourning those they lost and trying to rebuild. It’s important that we don’t forget what happened.
I expected God Loves Haiti to provide an insider’s view into what Port-au-Prince was like in those early days. I expected it to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of having the international community so invested in their recovery. But what I didn’t anticipate was just how Léger would explore these issues. Instead of focusing on the bigger picture, Léger broke down the situation into three distinct points of view.
“They tell me the stats without giving me the resources to change the situation, knowing full we can’t generate the resources on our own.”
1) The President – This is a man frustrated by how little his position means, how little power he actually has. Previously he has grown a little disillusioned with his country, and its people’s ability to pull themselves together. But the earthquake has given him some perspective. It allows him to see there are ways to help his people and that Haiti is about more than him and his job. It’s about a people and a culture who have survived against all odds.
“The Americans, like the French before them, want nothing more than to make those decisions for us.”
2) Alain – In many ways Alain is the President’s polar opposite. Unlike the President, Alain had never once lost hope that Haiti had a bright future ahead. Until the earthquake that is. The earthquake took everything he loved from him – his girlfriend, his home, his city. Injured and alone he doesn’t go home or try and make contact with his family. Instead he stays in the refugee camp and lives with the rest of the survivors. Through him we see some of the dichotomy of Haitian society, but also the diversity of the people and their will to survive.
“Haitians found facing the future to be exquisitely difficult after the most reliable thing they had ever known in their life, the ground they stood on, had decided to violently betray them without warning.”
3) Natasha – Natasha may be the most complex character of them all. She’s an artist, and a dreamer. But she’s also a bit of a pragmatist. She’s the melting pot of the ideas that separate The President and Alain – fitting since they are both enamoured by her. Minutes before the earthquake Natasha was prepared to leave Haiti behind forever. She had locked her lover (Alain) in the closet and was going to hop of a plane with her husband (The President) and disappear into the Italian countryside. She had given her country her soul via her art and she was ready to let go. But there’s nothing like a near death experience to make you reconsider your choices.
At times God Loves Haiti can be a bit heavy handed. There is a message that Léger wants to communicate and it is obvious throughout. But it’s not because he doesn’t trust the reader to figure it out for themselves. It’s because it’s too important to waste time being subtle. This novel provides a quick, but enlightening glance into a country that we really only hear about when tragedy strikes. We need more books like this.
kxmulligan79's review against another edition
3.0
This book was 3.5 stars for me (when is goodreads going to make it possible to give half star ratings?). The writing was beautiful, it conjured up images of Haiti post earthquake that while saddened me, also gave me hope. I appreciated the peek inside of the politics surrounding a disaster as well. However, I did not care for the ending which kept me from giving the book 4 stars. I don't actually know what I wanted to happen but it definitely was not what occurred. I would definitely read another novel by this author.
kamariamion's review against another edition
3.0
not as sad as I thought it’d be. interesting premise but the tone was a little uneven 3.5 ⭐️
axmed's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dikalila's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mofischy's review against another edition
4.25
agree with other reviews that say the ending was very rushed, but it was a beautiful novel regardless
afterglobe's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 for me.
I loved this book when it started out- the unique characters, unexpected prose, and quick-paced storyline. But then nothing really changed for the rest of the book, which was okay, but disappointing. I agree with comments that the ending was too rushed. I would have liked to have seen this story develop further.
I loved this book when it started out- the unique characters, unexpected prose, and quick-paced storyline. But then nothing really changed for the rest of the book, which was okay, but disappointing. I agree with comments that the ending was too rushed. I would have liked to have seen this story develop further.
biancachristine's review against another edition
4.0
In God loves Haiti, Dimitry Elias Léger writes about a love triangle between the country's president, his first lady and her young lover that unfolds at the exact moment the earth shook in 2010. Set in Port-au-Prince, Léger gives us a first look at the struggles within Haiti and the dire want the people have for it to be the best country in the world. We are reminded of the rich culture that lives in that island, the authentic language and the incomparable strength of its men, women and children.