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annemaries_shelves's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can see what Edwidge Danticat is such a beloved writer because she's very talented.
For me though, I just didn't love this collection. I'm not sure if it was a case of right book, wrong time, so I'd be willing to read other books/collections by her.
In seven short stories, Danticat explored a lot of themes around immigration and the Haitian diaspora, family and its obligations and secrets, pregnancy and parenthood, the impact of trauma and violence, love, and more.
But overall, the stories were just ok and nothing that I particularly loved. Though I could tell they were well crafted with interested characters, voices, and self-contained plots. The Port-au-Prince Marriage Special and Seven Stories were probably the ones I liked most.
I am glad I've read another new-to-me Haitian author and sampled more writing, perspectives, and experiences of Haitian people and the diaspora.
For me though, I just didn't love this collection. I'm not sure if it was a case of right book, wrong time, so I'd be willing to read other books/collections by her.
In seven short stories, Danticat explored a lot of themes around immigration and the Haitian diaspora, family and its obligations and secrets, pregnancy and parenthood, the impact of trauma and violence, love, and more.
But overall, the stories were just ok and nothing that I particularly loved. Though I could tell they were well crafted with interested characters, voices, and self-contained plots. The Port-au-Prince Marriage Special and Seven Stories were probably the ones I liked most.
I am glad I've read another new-to-me Haitian author and sampled more writing, perspectives, and experiences of Haitian people and the diaspora.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Deportation, Mental illness, Animal death, Child death, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Rape
nadia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection and Danticat’s writing.
The last story, Without Inspection, is probably one of my favourite short stories ever! So beautifully written.
The last story, Without Inspection, is probably one of my favourite short stories ever! So beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Rape
tina94's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape
emilyharmonica's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, Child death, and Xenophobia
sunpuddles's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ writing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This is an incredible collection of stories. It’s amazing how Danticat Is able to conjure such well-rounded characters, times and places in so few pages. She helps the characters extend into a past, present and future so that you can see the narrative in greater time and space, and yet does not skimp on making the present vivid and her narrative tangible. She touches on AIDS, immigration, refugees, natural disasters, grief and loss as well as resilience, hope and love. There is so much meat packed into this fast paced and absorbing book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This is an incredible collection of stories. It’s amazing how Danticat Is able to conjure such well-rounded characters, times and places in so few pages. She helps the characters extend into a past, present and future so that you can see the narrative in greater time and space, and yet does not skimp on making the present vivid and her narrative tangible. She touches on AIDS, immigration, refugees, natural disasters, grief and loss as well as resilience, hope and love. There is so much meat packed into this fast paced and absorbing book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Gun violence, and Rape
lauconn's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Dementia
Moderate: Death, Rape, and Miscarriage
Minor: Infidelity
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