Molly Foust reviewed Breath, eyes, memory by Edwidge Danticat
Review of 'Breath, eyes, memory' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I read this book to learn more about Haiti and by extension, our sister library in Haiti. One frightening theme of the book is the violent and heart-breaking sexism that many Haitian women struggle against. The book celebrates the closeness of women and their mothers, daughters and aunts while highlighting a disturbing practice wherein women insure the purity of their daughters by checking them with their fingers. Also,they listen to their pee because if they pee to loud they might have too much space there and not be pure. Obviously, the women are not very happy, and they seem both close and disconnected from one another. Also, were I living on the coast, I would welcome a boat of Haitians after reading this book. Not only is it hot there, there are soldiers who run around committing criminal acts, even murder, with no consequences.
The best parts of this book …
I read this book to learn more about Haiti and by extension, our sister library in Haiti. One frightening theme of the book is the violent and heart-breaking sexism that many Haitian women struggle against. The book celebrates the closeness of women and their mothers, daughters and aunts while highlighting a disturbing practice wherein women insure the purity of their daughters by checking them with their fingers. Also,they listen to their pee because if they pee to loud they might have too much space there and not be pure. Obviously, the women are not very happy, and they seem both close and disconnected from one another. Also, were I living on the coast, I would welcome a boat of Haitians after reading this book. Not only is it hot there, there are soldiers who run around committing criminal acts, even murder, with no consequences.
The best parts of this book for me where the stories told by the grandmother and aunt. They were short, but imaginative and unique. I am looking forward to reading more books by Edwidge Danticat.
