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2treads's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lahens took me on a roller coaster ride. With prose that is at times poetic, she illustrates a vivid picture of the people of Ayiti who are kept at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. Their work and lands are taken to keep the rich rich and to increase their power. The men are used for their labour and never seen as having anything to contribute to the betterment of their home or society. We see how the rich and powerful move unscathed through the different villages and cities no matter their actions or the wrongs they perpetrate on the villagers.
I love the way Haitian authors are able to show both the light and dark parts of their country. The ways in which ritual and family play a major role in being the foundation and cement of communities; their commiseration and discussions as they become more aware of the ways in which they are continuously disadvantaged.
Moonbath is told in multiple voices of the villagers and in the voice of Cetoute, who seems to have been grievously harmed. The deeper we go into the novel, the more is revealed as the landscape is changed by storms, foreign occupation, political ambition, deforestation, and violence. I like this type of narration as it only makes the story richer as we get to see how each individual views and responds to the changes they witness and are a part of.
I love the way Haitian authors are able to show both the light and dark parts of their country. The ways in which ritual and family play a major role in being the foundation and cement of communities; their commiseration and discussions as they become more aware of the ways in which they are continuously disadvantaged.
Moonbath is told in multiple voices of the villagers and in the voice of Cetoute, who seems to have been grievously harmed. The deeper we go into the novel, the more is revealed as the landscape is changed by storms, foreign occupation, political ambition, deforestation, and violence. I like this type of narration as it only makes the story richer as we get to see how each individual views and responds to the changes they witness and are a part of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
martieb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sam_hildebrandt's review
5.0
Great novel of intertwined stories from three generations, and perspectives of influential women. I had never read anything from a Haitian author, and unfamiliar with the political tumult in Haiti, but that didn’t stop me! I loved how Lahens weaves the three generations together. She highlights the simple life that is scared with abuse, slavery and poverty. Also, her inclusion of voodoo / spiritual rituals was a great tool to explain the life in the peasant villages. I did have to look up some political and historical references just for further clarification, but it wasn’t a distraction.
reb_bunny's review against another edition
3.0
C'était difficile à suivre comme histoire étant donné qu'il y a beaucoup de personnages sur plusieurs générations. La première moitié introduit plusieurs de ces personnages sans trop de détails, sans trop préciser les liens entre chacun, on doit deviner au fur et a mesure et essayer de se souvenir des informations données plusieurs pages avant. Il aurait fallu peut-être plus d'information sur les dieux mentionnés et l'histoire haïtienne en général pour bien comprendre, quoique je ne suis peut être pas le public cible pour ce livre.
Je n'ai pas compris s'il y avait un dénouement en particulier, ça semblait être une histoire que l'on voit en arrière plan même si on connaissait la pensée des personnages. Je ne comprenais pas toujours la chronologie des évènements ni les raisons.
Je crois qu'à la place d'un glossaire les traductions de mots en créole auraient dû apparaître au bas de la page pour faciliter la lecture.
Pour tous les passages que j'ai bien compris, plus particulièrement la deuxième moitié du livre, le style d'écriture transparaît et on peut reconnaître le talent de l'auteur. C'était somme toute une belle histoire et une belle plume.
Je n'ai pas compris s'il y avait un dénouement en particulier, ça semblait être une histoire que l'on voit en arrière plan même si on connaissait la pensée des personnages. Je ne comprenais pas toujours la chronologie des évènements ni les raisons.
Je crois qu'à la place d'un glossaire les traductions de mots en créole auraient dû apparaître au bas de la page pour faciliter la lecture.
Pour tous les passages que j'ai bien compris, plus particulièrement la deuxième moitié du livre, le style d'écriture transparaît et on peut reconnaître le talent de l'auteur. C'était somme toute une belle histoire et une belle plume.
eunicek82's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This was one of the more challenging books I’ve read in a while. Her more recent book Sweet Undoings was much more accessible in my opinion. This book required me to slow WAY down and required a lot of my concentration. This was compounded by my unfamiliarity with Haitian history and politics. I think this would be a great book to dissect in a college course. I was very impressed by the writing, the structure and the imagery, but I’m not sure I totally understood all of it.
jerrica's review against another edition
3.0
Between 3 and 4 stars. Beautiful, intricately-laid writing and a promising plot, but far too many characters and far too wide a span (about 100 years) for a novel under 300 pages. The plot sort of comes together at the end, but not to the extent that one would like.
emzireads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Colonisation
overnightdisconap's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
lyrical and beautiful storytelling, just wish there was better cohesion and character introduction. took a little too long for the pieces to fall together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
rhi_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Torture, Murder, and War
Minor: Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail