A Sky the color of chaos: based on the true story of my Haitian Childhood

by M.J. Fievre

A Sky the Color of Chaos chronicles M.J.’s perilous childhood during the turbulent rise and fall of Haiti’s President-Priest — a time of nightly shootings, home invasions, robberies, and the burning of former regime members in neighborhood streets. Haiti’s rich culture and breathtaking beauty are contrasted not only with the terror in Port-au-Prince’s streets, but also with the turmoil inside M.J.’s own home. Her father’s hot-blooded nature and unpredictable moods amplify her fevered need to escape a homeland where random violence and bloodshed are commonplace.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

177 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2015

Reviews

[Sheron Nowells · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.J. Fievre’s A Sky the Color of Chaos is a poignant coming-of-age memoir that delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and survival as experienced by a first-generation Haitian-American immigrant. Through the lens of Jessica, the protagonist, Fievre intricately portrays the challenges of adapting to life in the United States after fleeing the political violence and familial turmoil of Haiti. The narrative offers a vivid contrast between the warmth and beauty of her homeland and the harsh realities of the streets where she witnessed death and destruction, as well as the violence in her own home. Fievre’s evocative storytelling allows readers to experience the visceral impact of political instability on a young mind, while also exploring the emotional scars left by an abusive father.

The memoir resonates deeply with the reader, especially through a reader-response lens, as it invites emotional engagement with Jessica’s journey of self-discovery. Her internal conflict—straddling two worlds, Haitian and American—mirrors the universal struggle of many immigrants attempting to maintain their cultural identity while seeking acceptance in a foreign land. The new historicism perspective further illuminates the historical and political context of Haiti's instability, which significantly shapes the family’s narrative. Fievre’s exploration of the immigrant experience is both a personal and sociopolitical commentary on displacement, loss, and the search for belonging. Ultimately, A Sky the Color of Chaos offers a profound reflection on resilience, identity, and the power of storytelling in navigating the complexities of immigrant life.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an assignment and was expecting another bunch of pages thrown together to make a barely consumable book with an uninteresting story and prose as dead as my great-grandfather, as is my luck with nonfiction. It was much better than expected.

The writing leaves very little to be desired. Fièvre embellished her words to the point that the boring descriptions of everyday life, which would normally bore me and make me complain, all opened vibrant and colorful scenes despite the mundane environment. She described the heat in a way that made me nearly feel it and romanticised everything that she experienced--in a good way. Her writing was like an homage to her country, to all the streets she mentioned and wrote paragraphs upon paragraphs about, describing every single detail in fervent reverence of her memory.

She's rubbing off on me. I blame this dramatic review on her.

The story was obviously based on her life, so it's not like I can criticize the plot or character development. Regardless, I think she did a good job tying together the scenes she chose to portray through similar themes and tones throughout. It was also actually interesting, as opposed to many other memoirs or autobiographies I've read before. She definitely had a reason for wanting to write this book.

[Jerry Delince · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and lush memoire of a life at once horrifying and simultaneously beautiful. Fievre's prose is lush and reminds me of the complex Haitian French and the multi-layered meaning often buried in Haitian Creole. All and all this book is 100% worthwhile reading as recreation however the reader is rewarded with illumination in the end.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way that this novel weaves together family trauma and collective trauma; it really made me feel like I had a window into experiences that I myself have never had, and it paints a vivid and thought provoking picture of some ways in which "the personal" and society at large might be linked. Also, it was a treat to learn a little more about Haitian culture through Fievre's references.

[Suroor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is unfortunately out of print, but you can still find second-hand copies. M.J. Fievre writes about her childhood, growing up in Haiti from 1989. It is beautifully written and harrowing. Definitely worth reading.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has a list of accomplishments a mile long in spite of her wretched childhood with an abusive father and dangerous & turbulent surroundings.

[wonkagranny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good writing just not very interesting. It sounded like a compelling autobiography but was another domestic abuse book trying to be relevant.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful.

[Marva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sky the Color of Chaos is about the author's childhood in Haiti, which primarily took place in the 90s. As a child, she was tormented by her dad, a moody man who beat her and her mother. The memoir primarily focuses on their relationship. Despite his abuse, she still found things to admire about her father and still longed to be close to him.

While things were tumultuous inside her home, the outside world wasn't much better. Haiti was unstable during this time suffering from one coup after another. She grew up hearing gunfire at night and even saw a man murdered on the street when she was a young girl.

The story is compelling, and I enjoyed learning more about a different culture.

[Purple Iris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting story, but so overwritten. Every noun needed three adjectives. Every verb had to have two adverbs. It was exhausting and confusing. The thing is the story is dramatic enough that it did not need so much stylistic embellishment. Another example of a book in need of good editing. Where have all the good editors gone?

I found it interesting that the author describes her abusive father in such detail and dedicated the book to him. I know he died, but I wonder what her family thinks of the book. Not a criticism, just a thought.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful look at life in Haiti, written by a woman who grew up there. This is her first book written in English.