Available in English for the first time, Marie Vieux-Chauvet’s stunning trilogy of novellas is a remarkable literary event. In a brilliant tr...
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reviews
Dec 16, 2010
Alex
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Breaking the Silence
“Anger” By Marie Vieux-Chauvet. Modern Library: 2010. $15.
Marie Vieux-Chauvet’s “Anger” is truly a testament of courage and defiance amidst one of the most oppressive and violent regimes of our time. Written in Haiti during the infamous dictatorship of Francois Duvalier (also known as “Papa Doc”), “Anger” is a rare experience for American readers because it brings to life the state-sanctioned terror inflicted on Haitian people. The novella confronts remar More...
“Anger” By Marie Vieux-Chauvet. Modern Library: 2010. $15.
Marie Vieux-Chauvet’s “Anger” is truly a testament of courage and defiance amidst one of the most oppressive and violent regimes of our time. Written in Haiti during the infamous dictatorship of Francois Duvalier (also known as “Papa Doc”), “Anger” is a rare experience for American readers because it brings to life the state-sanctioned terror inflicted on Haitian people. The novella confronts remar More...
Apr 25, 2010
Manda
rated it: 
Not a particularly enjoyable read for its subject matter, but while reading it you can't help but feel its literary importance. Even though this is a work of fiction, the painful situations the characters of Love, Anger, Madness find themselves in were doubtless realities for many during the Duvalier regimes in Haiti. Vieux-Chauvet's novel was in itself an act of rebellion, one woman screaming out against the injustices she saw around her in the best way she knew how. It's a brave book, and t
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Jun 18, 2011
Mayra
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Page 156 marks the end of Love, the first novella in this trilogy about Haiti after the end of the American occupation. It's part History lesson, part glimpse into the sad life of a very strong woman. For very personal reasons, I identified very much with the character of Claire; much more, I think, that I have with any other literary character I've encountered. Told in diary entries by Claire, Love is heart-breaking in its revelation of Claire's turmoil, and eye-opening in the crude retelling o
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Jan 14, 2012
Nicolette
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Unbelievably rich with historic details of Haiti and it's political evolution. I enjoyed all three of the short stories in the compilation -- many readers did not enjoy the third -- "Madness". I suppose working with a population with psychiatric issues has made me more open to "madness".
The stories explained even more the psyche of the past and current residents and what it took and takes for them to survive while remaining resilient.
The sexual degr More...
The stories explained even more the psyche of the past and current residents and what it took and takes for them to survive while remaining resilient.
The sexual degr More...
Dec 21, 2011
Black Elephants
rated it:
Love, Anger, Madness is a beautifully written trilogy of short stories that examine life under the brutal Haitian regime in the mid-1900s. My Haitian history is fuzzy, but like most put-upon proletariats, Vieux-Chauvet is out to talk about repression, depression and other bleak aspects. But she does it in a lyrical and engrossing way.
I usually don't like short stories, too. Although, I think each story, "Love," "Anger" and "Madness," are more like indivi More...
I usually don't like short stories, too. Although, I think each story, "Love," "Anger" and "Madness," are more like indivi More...
Jul 12, 2010
Charles
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I read this because Edwidge Danticat said that this was the way to learn about Haiti and it is certainly much better than Kidder's book for that purpose. The language is lyrical. I marked three passages that I want to type up. There was not always a lot of plot, but scene and character are very vivid. Another reminder of how much history there is to learn. The personal and political are inseparable here.
Nov 09, 2010
Caryblockton
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I love love love this book. Vieux-Chauvet masterfully paints the complex nature of Haitian women in the oppressive Duvalier/early 20th century Haiti. At times both stark and dreary, both strange and endearing, the novellas are at once honest and true and stands as a confident affirmation of the character of perseverance in a terribly oppressive society.
Apr 17, 2010
Athenameilahn
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I read this in the original French and found it incredibly moving. All of the major issues that shape life in contemporary Haiti are here. I highly, highly recommend it. In fact, I'm excited it's now available in English so I can possibly teach it in a world literature in translation class someday.
Mar 22, 2010
Tara
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Loved the first 2 stories in this book, which includes through unrelated trilogies about Haitian life. Couldn't really get into the third. Was reading this when the earthquake struck, and even though the author is long dead, her portrait of the desperation of Haiti seemed timely and relevant. The prose in the first story was beautiful.
Oct 29, 2010
Linda
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If not for her importance as a Haitian author, I never would have finished this book. It is always difficult to judge style in translation, so I can only say that the translation is obtuse and tedious. Not recommended.
Jun 25, 2010
Chalida
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I can't say I enjoyed it, but I do appreciate the fact that this piece of literature exists. The three novellas show Vieux-Chauvet's incredible talent as a writer with each being distinctly different. My favorite is the first. It is wonderful to get into Claire's head. Although supposedly set in the late 1930's, this book paints a terrible portrait of US controlled Haiti under the Papa and Baby Doc regime.
Jan 23, 2011
Michelle
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These 3 novellas set in Haiti were disturbing but moving. I could not put this book down.
Jan 01, 2011
Anne
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I generally liked the book when there was dialogue between the characters; however, there was just way too much inner angst expressed throughout the narration. I suppose I should have expected that, given the title. I found the book tedious to finish and ended up stopping with just 40 pages to go.
Dec 02, 2010
Lisa (Ravenswood)
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I could not finish the third section, Madness. I have put the book away for a later time. I did respect and become involved with the characters and the issues in the first two sections. However, overall I much prefer Edwidge Danticat's writings on Haiti.
Sep 03, 2010
Anna
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I thought the first 2 novellas were superb. Madness I found difficult to get through. Walking through the mind of a madman is not easy.
Dec 30, 2010
Tracy
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I am reading this one between two Edwidge Danticat books in preparation for a Caribbean theme for our October book club theme.
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