A review by casey_larsen
Masters of the Dew by Jacques Roumain

challenging fast-paced

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

2.75

I had to read this for a class, and if I didn't, I likely never would've picked it up.

Considering this is hailed as one of the great Haitian novels, I was disappointed by the somewhat choppy writing. Now, whether it's the original French text that's choppy or this English translation, I'm not sure. In terms of plot points, there's this Shakespearean family feud throughout the book that I'm still not sure how it started. Maybe it was explained at some point, but if it was, I feel it was breezed over and shouldn't have been, considering it leads to

the main character's, Manuel's, murder.

The other major plot point I had an issue with occurs towards the end when

Annaise starts being called Manuel's wife. I thought their whole relationship was how they had to wait until water was found and brought to the community and only then could they marry once the feud was over. Yet, this doesn't happen as she starts being called Manuel's wife after he dies and before revealing where the water is, and I don't recall any wedding happening, either. It's possible she was called his wife as more of a posthumous thing, but wouldn't it be more tragic/dramatic if it was revealed they never got the chance? Or did Roumain purposely avoid revealing it because then the novel becomes more of a version of Romeo and Juliet than a novel about the Haitian peasant struggle? Whatever, the case may be, calling Annaise Manuel's wife when they didn't actually get married

just doesn't sit right with me.

Overall, not the worst thing I've had to read for a class but also not the best thing.