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readingafrica's review against another edition
2.0
This collection of short stories was 'ok'. It narrated experiences in the Haitian diaspora, from the US immigrant experience to life in rural Haiti. There were tales of love, loss, and trauma. The stories were pretty inconsistent. I liked some a lot more than others, and none of them were particularly memorable except "Sweet on the Tongue".
ktravag's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
jacque18's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emmakay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
nervousleigh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
bmusselman3's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
I was very excited for this book, because I always look forward to reading about Ms. Gay's experiences and stories around her identity as a Haitian-American. I find it incredibly powerful, as I often find myself reminded of the stories my grandmother(s) tell me. I love being able to read about how she holds her family's stories, how they were shared with her, and how she intends to share them with us. It was particularly beautiful to see how she let these stories shine through in her fiction. It is important for me to note that I am so obsessed with her non-fiction, that I found myself unfairly comparing it to her fiction. At some points in the collection, I did find myself getting lost. Some stories did feel incomplete, as other reviews have stated. Nevertheless, I love the way Roxane Gay writes about queerness, familial structure, the importance of storytelling, sexism, and love.
I was very excited for this book, because I always look forward to reading about Ms. Gay's experiences and stories around her identity as a Haitian-American. I find it incredibly powerful, as I often find myself reminded of the stories my grandmother(s) tell me. I love being able to read about how she holds her family's stories, how they were shared with her, and how she intends to share them with us. It was particularly beautiful to see how she let these stories shine through in her fiction. It is important for me to note that I am so obsessed with her non-fiction, that I found myself unfairly comparing it to her fiction. At some points in the collection, I did find myself getting lost. Some stories did feel incomplete, as other reviews have stated. Nevertheless, I love the way Roxane Gay writes about queerness, familial structure, the importance of storytelling, sexism, and love.
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Confinement, and Grief