In After the Dance, one of Haiti’s most renowned daughters returns to her homeland, taking readers on a stunning, exquisitely rendered...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2009
Laurie
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Carnival is one of the defining events of the Haitian year, and nowhere is it celebrated with more verve than in the seaside town of Jacmel. The Haitian-American novelist Edwidge Danticat never had the opportunity to attend carnival. Thus, as an adult, she returns to Haiti, to Jacmel, to experience what she missed in childhoood. This book is an account of Danticat's trip back. This is a travel essay, but at the same time, it's so much more. After the dance is a travel narrative, a memoir, and a
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Jun 24, 2009
Bing
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I learned a lot about carnival and Haitian history by reading this. I'd anticipated something a little more fiery and sweaty, as this is how carnival represents. Danticat expresses more interest in graveyards and the history of the carnival masks than in the experience of flinging herself into carnival at the height of the festivities. As she says, she still has the fears of her childhood about the dangers of the carnival crowd.
Jul 21, 2010
Topher
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After reading The Dew Breaker, I wanted to know more about Haiti's culture and political history. The is a calmly thoughtful account of a trip back to visit Carnival. Although the book culminates with Carnival (and what fun it must be), the pleasure was in the travels and reminisces leading up to the actual party. It worked as a cultural and political primer, and makes me want to read more.
Dec 07, 2010
Lucy
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Someone else may like this book, but it was not for me. I did not finish the book because I thought it was boring. I read another book by the same author and I really enjoyed it so i thought that I would like this book also, but I couldn't really relate to the book or what the author talks about. It might be a good book for people who have Haitian heritage and like carnivals.
Feb 02, 2011
Andrea
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Edwidge Danticat takes us to the streets of Jacmel and through the wild, brightly colored, irreverent ceremony of carnival. Mixed folk lore, history, and historical analysis with personal memoir, Danticat's journey through Jacmel, before and after carnival, is delightful, and makes me long for a trip to Haiti.
Apr 13, 2011
Kelly Lynn
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Although Danticat is Haitian, she didn't live there for a long time before she returned for Carnival. Her perspective is unique, because she's both a native and a foreigner. Plus, the writing is beautiful and makes you feel as if you're actually experiencing Carnival right along with her.
Jul 23, 2011
While this is Danticat's tale of attending Carnival in Jacmel, Haiti, it is so much more. A lovely, lyrical, interesting and deep tale begin to describe this book and yet it is so much more.
Jan 29, 2011
Dimity
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I know the Edwidge Danticat is more known as a fiction writer, but I love her non-fiction so much. The prose in this book is like poetry and really takes you to Carnival. It is a very enjoyable short read.
Apr 22, 2008
Myriam
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Another travelogue for a series by authors on lands they visit; this is the only one I know of written by an author visiting her own country; for this, it is an interesting read. However, its focus on carnival in Jacmel begs the question "why not Carnival in the capital, Port-au-Prince?" This a question the text refuses to answer. If readers are compelled to find out the answer beyond the text, than the exercise (both reading this book and seeking the answer to the question beyond t
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Mar 02, 2008
Karin
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danticat should stick to writing creative nonfiction because this book was so much better than her fiction efforts. it was educational and interesting as well as concise.
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