Reviews

Ayiti by Roxane Gay

veganaioli's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

solvibez's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bindwell's review against another edition

5.0

This was a phenomenal read— a series of stories that weave together to tell a larger story (yes, we know how Roxane goes). She writes so much emotion, development, and understanding into the characters that it’s impossible to put down or forget.

saskiasreads's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

4.75

libdibs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Pain and hope, poverty and dreams, woven together in an endless loop

hyacinth068's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

jialianyang's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

tjonesnp09's review against another edition

5.0

“Ayiti “... independence... hunger.. despair... freedom... love... the desire to be who you want.. longing for better. A collection of short stories: gripping and passionate. So much written between these pages; so much more I wanted to know, I needed to know. Did they make it? What happened when they woke up together? I loved all of the stories. This was my first Roxanne Gay collection, and it certainly won’t be my last ❣️

caitfoges's review against another edition

4.0

"For many years, we didn't realize our parents had accents, that their voices sounded different to unkind American ears. All we heard was home.
Then the world intruded. It always does." (17)

Some stories in this collection were brilliant; some didn't quite hit the mark, but still had redeeming elements. Altogether, Roxanne Gay's writing is raw, sensual, and deeply affecting. I felt my heart break over and over, reading about kidnapping, rape, genocide, and poverty on the island of Haiti. I shuddered at the the hopelessness of dreams unfulfilled despite the dreamer's relentless sacrifices. I shook with both anger and awe at what it means to be a woman in this world. I had to take a break from reading at times. I returned and found myself amazed at the power of a story told solely by a list of items bought and sold, then ashamed by the oppressive naïveté of most American tourists.

Roxanne Gay takes risks in her writing, and though the results are not always precisely perfect, she stands to be admired. Her words ought to be savored, yet when necessary, spit out due to the taste of blood.

bookstalgic's review against another edition

5.0

This book was absolutely amazing. Each story was just as good as the next and this may be my favorite collection of short stories I’ve ever read. I just discovered Roxane Gay this year (I read Hinger prior to this) and am blown away by her talent as a writer. Looking forward to checking out more is her work!