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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
Another great work by Danticat. This is a set of vignettes that ultimately tie together in the end.
Beautifully written collection of stories of Haitians and their struggles. One particularly heartbreaking tale is of two young lovers, one of whom is on a boat overcrowded with refugees hoping to make it to Miami. He writes letters from the boat, letters which his love will never receive, because he will have to throw his belongings overboard when the boat begins to take on water. This really brought back memories of the time when "boat people" were being caught quite frequently by the Coast Guard, and promptly returned to their country, and almost certain death.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
Makes a great book club book. All of the stories have so much complexity to them, there’s so much to discuss. Our book club ended up spending a long time discussing the shortest story. Lots of dark themes, lots of death, so be aware.
Beautiful collection of short stories. Magical realism does not dominate the plot, as I expected. Instead, people's decisions are situated in a vivid world. Can't wait to read more of Danticat.
i originally gave this a 4/5, then i thought of it again the next morning and i realised that this book has left an impact on me that doesn't deserve anything less than a complete score. this piece of poetry was horrifying in its realism and attention to detail, and i found myself dreading turning the page while not being able to stop myself in doing so. despite this grief, or perhaps thanks to it, danticat managed to write something beautiful and raw and most certainly unique, and i would love to sit down and read this again sometime.
These stories were depressing, yet amazing. Danticat takes something so tragic and horrifying (life in Haiti,under dictatorial rule) and writes about it so beautifully. Some of her characters escape Haiti, while others stay. Some of her characters adapt to American life, while others struggle with adapting. Only a Hatian can write about Hatian life with such passion. It wouldn't be as profound, meaningful, or as emotional coming from anyone else. No one else could do it justice. I will read anything she writes.
(February 2025 book club)
Generally not a fan of short story formats but I really loved Danticat's writing and stories overall.
Generally not a fan of short story formats but I really loved Danticat's writing and stories overall.
I came into this book without really knowing anything about it nor its Haitian author; I chose it merely for a reading prompt for a book by a Caribbean author.
And what a gem. This is a multilayered powerhouse collection of short stories that at first appear related only by country and culture, but weave together much more deeply into a fabric of folklore and family. I didn’t expect to understand these stories, much less love them. I just finished it and already know it is one I will journey through again for a chance to glean more treasures and truths from its pages. I highly recommend this book.
And what a gem. This is a multilayered powerhouse collection of short stories that at first appear related only by country and culture, but weave together much more deeply into a fabric of folklore and family. I didn’t expect to understand these stories, much less love them. I just finished it and already know it is one I will journey through again for a chance to glean more treasures and truths from its pages. I highly recommend this book.
Heartrending, elegant short stories from a Haitian-American woman, spanning both lands.
This is one of the best-written books I've ever read. Lush and gorgeous, tales that read more like myth than any fantasy story can do. Incredibly well grounded.
Recommended.
This is one of the best-written books I've ever read. Lush and gorgeous, tales that read more like myth than any fantasy story can do. Incredibly well grounded.
Recommended.