A review by bahareads
The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

chouket lawoze or dew breaker (as translated by Danticat) refers to a torturer during the reign of Papa Doc and Baby Doc. The Dew Breaker is a series of stories that are semi-connected. I did not realize this was a collection of stories, I thought it was one central story. This is an overarching connection between the stories. The theme of duality or doubling is most prevalent.

Danticat is an excellent writer and this book once again showcases her prowess. However, this is by far my least favourite Danticat book I've read. The stories were good, but I wanted more from each of them. In a few cases, I wondered why I was reading the current story that I was reading and the connection to the main story. The subtly of Danticat's story connections are great. I liked seeing different angles of Haiti and immigrant life from various perspectives. The Dew Breaker is a shorter book, but powerful in its own way.