The Read Around The World Book Club discussion
MARCH 2018 - HAITI
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Part 2
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Melanie
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Mar 01, 2018 05:49AM
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Just finished the book.I loved the writing. Thought it gave us a good insight into the people of the village. The contrast between the rich and poor was very well done. Max Sr worried about his violets when at the same time everyone in the town learns about his son's horrific act really defined him for me. Claire running up to the mansions observing that there is more light up there but they can't see the sea was also very telling.
I thought I would learn more about Claire but by the second half of the book you see that Claire is what will bring the characters to a common place or time (her seventh birthday). I did like the one chapter toward the end that focused on Claire.
I found Claire's father to be the most interesting characters. His wanting to give his daughter away was sad but you understood why.
Max Jr's story was disturbing to me. He loved someone he could never be with so he committed a horrible act to show up his father. I don't think I got enough information to have that make sense.
To me the ending was too abrupt. I didn't need all the stories all tied up but felt like a chapter had been cut off the end.
Overall I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone. Also would like to read more from Danticat.
I was left smiling at the end, despite the half-drowned man on the beach. Even though we only hear Claire’s voice at the end, I think Danticat gets her voice spot on, a seven year old unable to understand what is going on around her and wanting to hide away, who loves the sea but wants it to disappear so her father will be safe.Everyone in the book it seems has lost someone, or something and is looking for revenge or someone to fill the hole but no character more than any other, seems to have truly been able to move forward since their loss. The night of Claire’s seventh birthday, as others have said, gives them the opportunity or chance to do so.
A lovely haunting book and a great choice. I look forward to reading more Edwidge Danticat.
I've finished the book yesterday evening (couldn't stop after reading part 1) and I liked it a lot. The kaleidsocope of characters & stories, blending into each other, left me with the feeling that I understood something about the life of the people in Ville Rose. I agree with some of the comments that the ending felt maybe a bit rushed but that didnt diminish my enjoyment of the book.
I’m about half way through so I don’t want to read all the comments until I’m done. 😅
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I finished last night and was pleased with the experience. Her writing felt lyrically hypnotic. I liked the second part better, I thought like it was more powerful. I loved hearing the perspective of each prominent character. This was another interesting book Melanie! I don’t know how or where you find them but 2 out of 2 for me are 👍. Can one use punctuation after an emoji? 😂
I finished this a few days ago and it was a solid 3 stars for me. I really liked ED’s writing style but did not love the storyline. I know lives filled with this much tragedy are a reality and for some reason it was a turn off for me in this book. I would like to pick up more books from Haitian authors though.
I’ve just finished this and I really enjoyed it...I loved how all the stores were interconnected and ran at the same time as each other. I really loved the writing in this and couldn’t put the book down at all...I know a lot of people didn’t like the ending but I thought it wrapped up really well. I definitely want to read more from this author...4.5 out of 5 from me 😊
This was an interesting selection. There were some aspects I enjoyed about the book like the writing and getting to know some of the beautiful and tragic stories of Ville Rose. I sort of liked the ending as it was unique and surprising. I had thought Claire was going to leave for sure. It’s more a preference thing for me but I didn’t love the way the story was told and it was hard for me to like many of the characters.
I’m glad most of the club enjoyed this read but I’m not a huge fan. This was a glimpse into the life of the inhabitants of Ville Rose and Haiti in general. There were so many large issues that could have been a novel unto themselves that I felt a lack of connection to the characters. It was too subtle in style and character motivation. I wanted more depth and more insight into how the culture of Ville Rose and Haiti functioned in the character’s decisions. The threads connecting the characters were too loose and it felt like a series of short stories from a detached point of view. Is this style typical of Danticat’s work? If so, I think her writing is not my cup of tea.
I really loved the almost mythical atmosphere of the book. The writing was gorgeous and I was touched by the interplay between despair and hope.
Jen wrote: "I’m glad most of the club enjoyed this read but I’m not a huge fan. This was a glimpse into the life of the inhabitants of Ville Rose and Haiti in general. There were so many large issues that coul..."Well said Linda! When I read "mythical" I saw mystical which also might fit. I thought it had a dreamy quality while dealing with tragedy and light.
Candace wrote: "This was an interesting selection. There were some aspects I enjoyed about the book like the writing and getting to know some of the beautiful and tragic stories of Ville Rose. I sort of liked the ..."I enjoyed the writing too Candace!
Keriann wrote: "I’ve just finished this and I really enjoyed it...I loved how all the stores were interconnected and ran at the same time as each other. I really loved the writing in this and couldn’t put the book..."I liked it too Keriann! I enjoyed the way the stories varied but had a common thread. I want to read more by the author too, somehow her writing is beautiful.
Melanie wrote: "I enjoyed this book, but sadly this book did not feel as brilliant as Krik Krak did when I read it. The ending was a bit rushed but overall I like the sense of place this book gives me. I googled p..."That is the tough part of reading more than one by an author isn't it Melanie? We can't help but compare and yet what would happen if we didn't, if we thought they were written by different authors?
This one was not for me I am afraid. I did think that the book gave the reader a sense of Haiti, but the storytelling didn’t work for me at all. It didn’t capture my attention at all. Listening to this as audio book made it even more difficult I assume.
I really enjoyed this book. ED brought the people and place alive for me. I felt I was in Haiti. Through the story, she managed to touch on so many interesting issues: wives and their children of wealthy men living in the US visiting Haiti during holiday’s; the corruption; poverty vs wealth; environmental issues; gangs; influence peddling, etc. ED gave the characters dignity and a voice regardless of their circumstances. I will read more of her work.
I know I'm late to the party but this morning I finally managed to finish this novel. And honestly I almost didn't. At first, at the beginning of the month, It seemed to me I was reading a short story collection rather than a novel. Since I'm not a fan of short stories I really struggled, although I liked the writing, the atmosphere and Ville Rose. So 25 pages in, I put it aside and more or less forgot about it. Whenever there is a book I'm having trouble with, reading it in one go can be the solution. Sometimes this means staying up most of the night. And I'm glad I did. The characters and intermingling stories suddenly drew me in. At some point I even got emotional (could have been the lack of sleep though😀). Still, I agree with a lot of you that the ending felt rushed. A 3.5 star read after all.
