Reviews

Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490, by Edwidge Danticat

emmarj's review against another edition

2.0

At the beginning of Anacaona the author acknowledges that the Taino had no system of writing or reading and then goes on to write a stilted and unpleasant "diary" littered with typos. Just because you had to fake that Anacaona could have potentially written a diary doesn't mean you had to write it poorly.

taishacasimir's review against another edition

5.0

Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490 was an interesting read. It was nice to learn more about my Haitian heritage and history of Haiti. I would recommend this to people to read. :)

edythemighty's review against another edition

3.0

A fine book for teens and YA. You have to keep in mind that this is historical fiction. It reads a bit dry for the first half of the book, which mostly depicts a glamorized view of what might have been daily life for Anacaona. Towards the last quarter of the book, the book introduces us to Anacaona's interactions with the conquistadores. Just as the book is starting to get interesting, it abruptly ends. I would have liked to see the sections with the conquistadores expanded. Maybe then I would rate the book higher.

mxcrayon's review against another edition

challenging informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.25

dandelionfluff's review against another edition

3.0

Looking around at all the really positive reviews makes me feel like I missed out on something. While I respect Edwidge Danticat immensely, I couldn't help but notice how flat-sounding the narration was. While this is definitely more of a mature edition to the series, addressing everything from natural death, to suicide, to tragedy, to imperialism, and even explaining Anacaona's murder in the Epilogue, I wasn't engaged with the text itself.

Her story is important, though, and I'm thankful Scholastic/Danticat took the time to tell it.

cassie5489's review

3.5

I enjoyed the historical note at the end more than the actual diary. However, it did educate me about a culture I knew little about. I also need to consider that I am not its intended audience.

foreveryoungadult's review against another edition

Graded By: Maria
Cover Story: Fig Leaf Modesty
BFF Charm: Maybe
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: Oral Storytelling
Bonus Factor: Riddles
Anti-Bonus Factor: Christopher Columbus
Relationship Status: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Read the full book report here.

kdbunao91's review against another edition

4.0

3.5/5

anji87's review against another edition

4.0

I give this book a four out of five because I feel like it paints a good picture of what life would have been like before the Spaniards invaded the Caribbean. The novel starts by saying that Anacaona and her people wouldn't have written down things as we do today, but the first entry helps with that by saying that her Uncle has given her some sort of creation to write upon. The story then goes on to explain about the simple and contented life that they all live, despite the threat of the Kalina's (a war-like group) and hurricanes (which is apart of our vocabulary because of them) and the ominous visions and dreams that Anacaonda has. The story then moves to Anacaona's marriage and then subsequent motherhood (which is unusual for a Royal Diaries book) and then her people's first horrific encounters with the Spaniards. I found this part of the novel especially harrowing because it was quite vivid (if not simplified for a middle grade audience) to show the horrors of what happened when the Spanish landed in the Caribbean in their quest for gold. It breaks my heart that this strong woman who fought along side her husband and then ruled her own people was killed at such a young age.

kenzie5227's review

informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0