Reviews

Ayiti by Roxane Gay

sarabearian's review against another edition

A stunning slim collection of fiction and non-fiction short stories from author Roxane Gay, spotlighting Haiti. Told with raw emotion and a love for the Haitian people and their plight, these migrant stories resonated with me. A must read for these modern times. - Clara M.

starsinhereyesbooks's review against another edition

5.0

I cannot get enough of Roxane Gay's writing. Ayiti is a collection of beautifully written short stories exploring the simplicity and complexity of love and pain.

alicetheowl's review against another edition

4.0

Lovely, varied short story collection, all tied in to the author's Haitian heritage. One short story is similar to An Untamed State, with a happier ending.

thechangelingbard's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

I absolutely devoured this book! Every story made me want to know about these characters. You can definitely see and feel what they're experiencing. Even though these stories felt like grief, there was some moments of joy and hope. This was just so good!

flow_bloom's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense

4.0

Ayiti is raw, unfiltered, and deeply honest. Roxane Gay doesn’t hold back in portraying the complexities of Haitian identity, migration, love, and survival. The stories are short but pack an emotional punch, offering a glimpse into lives shaped by struggle, resilience, and desire. I  appreciated how real and unapologetic it was in capturing these experiences. A powerful read for those who love bold, unvarnished storytelling.

eyelit's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

4.0

limelemon's review against another edition

5.0

All of these stories are so moving and well-written and heartbreaking in such an impressive way

molly_benevides's review against another edition

emotional reflective

5.0

readsewknit's review against another edition

4.0

In AYITI, Roxane Gay pens short stories with ties to Haiti, full of highlighting the complex relationships we have to place as well as the intricacies of love. 

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Read-from-my-own-library challenge: 6/25

jetaway's review against another edition

5.0

I was so grateful this short story collection didn’t have overlapping characters or something I had to keep track of throughout as I’m finding that method of short story writing to be tired. Of course, the through line was Haiti and the characters’ connection to their homelands. These stories were well-crafted and provocative. They made a statement about America’s relation to Haiti without beating you over the head with it. I’ve been wanting to read Roxane Gay for some time but this was my first time reading her work. Her sentences are so toned and poetic, I want to keep re-reading them. I’m very excited now to dive into her other work.