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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Krik? Krak! I had come across this in storytelling circles and it is a brilliant way to check in with the listeners to make sure they are paying attention. And a great reminder that storytelling just isn't going to work unless there are people to hear it.
So with this invitation to listen and pay attention we are richly awarded with several amazing short stories set in Haiti or with the Haitian diaspora. Together the short stories create an incredibly complex and layered evocation of Haiti and its people. Individual stories might not seem related to each other but every now and then there's a little flash of something that connects life. The beautiful writing doesn't mask the horrible things and events (the first story is an extremely hard hitting way to start a book!) and the poverty, but it does also allow space for all the love and beauty. It's beautifully human and I felt like I learnt a lot.
So with this invitation to listen and pay attention we are richly awarded with several amazing short stories set in Haiti or with the Haitian diaspora. Together the short stories create an incredibly complex and layered evocation of Haiti and its people. Individual stories might not seem related to each other but every now and then there's a little flash of something that connects life. The beautiful writing doesn't mask the horrible things and events (the first story is an extremely hard hitting way to start a book!) and the poverty, but it does also allow space for all the love and beauty. It's beautifully human and I felt like I learnt a lot.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A mixed bag as always. The first four or five stories were powerful and then towards the end I struggled to finish. Caroline's Wedding in particular felt overly long.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed how Danticat plays with the generational structure of the stories, but keeps certain threads running throughout. It’s a compelling way to tell a story. There is a lot of noise about how it is a feminist book, and I agree that could be one lens for viewing the stories, especially considering the use of the body, the blood, the Virgin Mary. In fact, the story is told from the POV of various women; however, there was quite a bit of interesting comment on men and their roles as well. It's a fascinating story and sheds light on a history that needs to be remembered.
Just read one of the short stories in this book, “Seeing Things Simply,” for class and I am in love. The theme of changing/unchanging polarity as well as the imagery of twos were executed perfectly. * immediately orders the book *
Heartbreaking and beautiful collection of short stories.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A