A review by marywahlmeierbracciano
What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A. Chancy

challenging sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

What Storm, What Thunder is a lyrical exploration of the disastrous 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the people it impacted most.  Readers will hear from people who will emerge from the earthquake physically unscathed, from those who will lose their lives, and from those who will lose everything but: a queer sex worker, a wealthy expat businessman, an errand boy, a young female architect, an elderly market woman, and many more.  Chancy provides unflinching depictions of camp life—and death—in the aftermath and shines light on the misguided recovery effort and shameful media coverage.  This is a must-read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, Death, Suicide, Medical trauma, Grief, and Blood

Moderate: Rape, Child death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Cursing

Minor: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Colonisation, Alcoholism, and Trafficking