Literary Quote of the Month

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," said Jojen. "The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Monday, January 18, 2010

Memoir Mondays... Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat

"Edwidge Danticat is a master storyteller who allows her readers to experience the Haitian culture, history and emotions through her insightful and compelling writing."

Brother, I'm Dying is the memoir of Edwidge Danticat . "From the age of four, award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat came to think of her uncle Joseph as her “second father,” when she was placed in his care after her parents left Haiti for America. And so she was both elated and saddened when, at twelve, she joined her parents and youngest brothers in New York City. As Edwidge made a life in a new country, adjusting to being far away from so many who she loved, she and her family continued to fear for the safety of those still in Haiti as the political situation deteriorated. In 2004, they entered into a terrifying tale of good people caught up in events beyond their control. Brother I'm Dying is an astonishing true-life epic, told on an intimate scale by one of our finest writers." In Brother, I'm Dying she uses her gift of storytelling to tell her story and give us a glimpse of the Haitian immigrant experience...

In 2007, Edwidge Danticat won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Brother, I'm Dying. She is one of Haiti’s most acclaimed writers. Her other books of fiction are Krik? Krak!, Breath, Eyes, Memory, and The Dewbreaker. Read an excerpt of Brother, I'm Dying. And for reading groups, there is a Reading Guide. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal Edwidge Danticat "took the time to recommend some books and music that people who are interested in Haitian history and arts should seek out in order to place the current disaster in a broader context." Included in the recommendations is Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Trilogy” by Marie Vieux-Chauvet which was recently translated into English. You can read the article and see the complete list in the article entitled Earthquake in Haiti: A Reading (and Listening) List by Edwidge Danticat. *Currently, Brother, I'm Dying is available for the Kindle for under $6!

My thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by the horrible tragedy in Haiti...

5 comments:

Tea said...

I had to stop by and say Brother, I'm Dying is a wonderful book. Edwidge Danticat is one of my most favorite authors. Sorry about all the catastrophic happenings in Haiti because of the earthquake.

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Tea!
Thanks for sharing how much you enjoyed Brother, I'm Dying and the author. After doing quite a bit of research and reading part of the book, I knew this would be a good choice for today's post.

Take care,
Suzanne

Harvee said...

What an appropriate memoir for this week! Thanks for letting us know about it.

Lisa said...

I want to applaud you and your choice today, what a tribute to Haiti by highlighting one of its most talented writers!

I have not read this one. But greatly admire her.

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Book Dilettante & Lisa!
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello! Edwidge Danticat is an amazing writer- I just started reading her book Breath, Eyes, Memory and am blown away by her beautiful prose.

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