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A review by 2treads
Moonbath by Yanick Lahens
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lahens took me on a roller coaster ride. With prose that is at times poetic, she illustrates a vivid picture of the people of Ayiti who are kept at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. Their work and lands are taken to keep the rich rich and to increase their power. The men are used for their labour and never seen as having anything to contribute to the betterment of their home or society. We see how the rich and powerful move unscathed through the different villages and cities no matter their actions or the wrongs they perpetrate on the villagers.
I love the way Haitian authors are able to show both the light and dark parts of their country. The ways in which ritual and family play a major role in being the foundation and cement of communities; their commiseration and discussions as they become more aware of the ways in which they are continuously disadvantaged.
Moonbath is told in multiple voices of the villagers and in the voice of Cetoute, who seems to have been grievously harmed. The deeper we go into the novel, the more is revealed as the landscape is changed by storms, foreign occupation, political ambition, deforestation, and violence. I like this type of narration as it only makes the story richer as we get to see how each individual views and responds to the changes they witness and are a part of.
I love the way Haitian authors are able to show both the light and dark parts of their country. The ways in which ritual and family play a major role in being the foundation and cement of communities; their commiseration and discussions as they become more aware of the ways in which they are continuously disadvantaged.
Moonbath is told in multiple voices of the villagers and in the voice of Cetoute, who seems to have been grievously harmed. The deeper we go into the novel, the more is revealed as the landscape is changed by storms, foreign occupation, political ambition, deforestation, and violence. I like this type of narration as it only makes the story richer as we get to see how each individual views and responds to the changes they witness and are a part of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Violence, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Infidelity