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valerie_hamilton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
verafey's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
2treads's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In this triptych we are shown through different families and individuals some of the ways in which we can love: secretly, longingly, covetously, desperately, and futilely; how anger can shape and drive our actions in reckless and ambitious ways in an attempt to maintain status and control of one's life and fate; the many ways in which madness can skew our very interactions with reality and the phantasms of our minds. But what is clear is that the socio-political upheaval and violence is at the heart of the struggles and response of these characters.
I was completely immersed in how Vieux-Chauvet used dialogue, conversations, descriptive scenes, and a play-like conversant structure to build each story within her triptych. It had me questioning the veracity of every character and their motives. I love any novel that makes me wary of main characters, while keeping me enamored of the story they tell.
Vieux-Chauvet explores the nature of identity here against the backdrop of a nation in political and social upheaval where strongmen rise to power and fear and violence become rhe rule of law. Where corruption and betrayal become commonplace and cause the rifts between the social classes and families.
The pen of Haitian authors has always been used to show the beauty and desperation of their people, the richness of their rituals and culture, the changing landscape forged by covetous leaders and entitled occupiers. Their literature speaks to resilience in the face of deforestation and resource plunder, natural and man-made disasters that increase the people's vulnerability, while still communicating a core fortitude.
I was completely immersed in how Vieux-Chauvet used dialogue, conversations, descriptive scenes, and a play-like conversant structure to build each story within her triptych. It had me questioning the veracity of every character and their motives. I love any novel that makes me wary of main characters, while keeping me enamored of the story they tell.
Vieux-Chauvet explores the nature of identity here against the backdrop of a nation in political and social upheaval where strongmen rise to power and fear and violence become rhe rule of law. Where corruption and betrayal become commonplace and cause the rifts between the social classes and families.
The pen of Haitian authors has always been used to show the beauty and desperation of their people, the richness of their rituals and culture, the changing landscape forged by covetous leaders and entitled occupiers. Their literature speaks to resilience in the face of deforestation and resource plunder, natural and man-made disasters that increase the people's vulnerability, while still communicating a core fortitude.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
nicolagua's review
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
m_a_j's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Torture, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
rheagoveas's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, and War
hanntastic's review
4.0
Global Read Challenge 86: Haiti
This is an incredible book. I can't believe I hadn't heard of it. The stories are powerful and haunting and the author & book's life are also impressive. I had to read it a little bit at a time because it is dark and violent. Like many reviewers I had some trouble with the Madness section (the only thing keeping this book from a 5) but it might have been that I was feeling so battered by the Anger section.
This is an incredible book. I can't believe I hadn't heard of it. The stories are powerful and haunting and the author & book's life are also impressive. I had to read it a little bit at a time because it is dark and violent. Like many reviewers I had some trouble with the Madness section (the only thing keeping this book from a 5) but it might have been that I was feeling so battered by the Anger section.
jennaw's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
toomuchbooks's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Suicide attempt
librosamoralibros's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0