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gaymoonreader's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5)
This is such a beautifully haunting collection of stories, and I really loved this. The writing was captivatingly beautiful and the stories were absolutely heartbreaking. These are set during a few different time periods in Haiti's history, but they are mostly centered around a time when a regime was in power that was characterized by violence and death as the tyrant was estimated to have killed around 60,000 Haitians. This is an incredible collection because it is born out of that time and does show some of the horrors of the time period while also managing to show a little bit of light in this dark period in history. I just really recommend this because it is just so good.
This is such a beautifully haunting collection of stories, and I really loved this. The writing was captivatingly beautiful and the stories were absolutely heartbreaking. These are set during a few different time periods in Haiti's history, but they are mostly centered around a time when a regime was in power that was characterized by violence and death as the tyrant was estimated to have killed around 60,000 Haitians. This is an incredible collection because it is born out of that time and does show some of the horrors of the time period while also managing to show a little bit of light in this dark period in history. I just really recommend this because it is just so good.
ra_cunigan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, War, and Gun violence
plantingneurons's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
bluestarfish's review against another edition
5.0
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.
thesearethebooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
chekareadswhat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
hazeyjane_2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
3.0
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.
serranok's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0