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The descriptions of Haitian culture both in Haiti and in the United States were fascinating.The book flowed well and held my interest much more than I expected. Breath, Eyes, Memory is the story of the suffering of three women bound by family ties. Breath, Eyes, Memory was not my usual fare, but it was very good and more than a little eye-opening. The ending was filled with sadness and quite unexpected. It was strongly emotional with some heavy themes. The repercussions of rape, the cultural value of virginity and how mothers routinely sexually abuse their daughters in order to preserve their honor were all covered in great detail.
I feel as if the Haitian women finally have a voice.Thank you Edwidge. In all her stories I can relate somewhat to some of the issues the characters faces. First I would like to say thank you to Linda Jones for introducing this wonderful author to me. Being a Haitian girl who grew up in Brooklyn, this is the first time I have seen someone wrote about some of the issues I had face in my life.
Many parts of the book I found interesting - I loved reading about Haiti, the people, the tales, scenery, etc. Would I hold on to it to read again. I was hesitant to read this book since it was an Oprah Book Club pick. Nonetheless, I picked it up and delved in.I really expected a heart wrenching tale of a child (Sophie) struggling to make it in America while connecting with a mom she didn't know and missing a family back in Haiti that she was ripped away from. Yes. It's easy to follow--almost too easy. I LIKED the book, but I didn't love it.
Am I glad I read it. read.
A lot of her time in America was glossed over; her internal struggles weren't really relayed and the development of a relationship with her mom never did play out like I thought it would.The author's writing is very simplistic. There was one shocker at the end that really threw me but other than that it was just an O.K.
Sometimes her books are very deep and thought inspiring and, while that is a good thing, I wasn't looking for that when I picked a book to read. I really wanted more out of this book though.
No. I didn't get that.
I felt like I was reading a book that was aimed towards a different generation (like teens maybe).
Although Sophie and her female relatives endure many tragedies throughout the course of this story, "Breath, Eyes, Memory" also celebrates strong family ties and the power that comes with being a woman. She eventually returns to her home country in search of answers and redemption.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The subject matter is difficult to read, but this book depicts a lifestyle that was a reality for so many Haitian women. "Breath, Eyes, Memory" is the story of a young Haitian girl, Sophie, whose mother travels to New York when her daughter is very young, leaving Sophie in the care of her Tante Atie. This is truly an amazing book. I thought this book would focus on the struggles of a Haitian girl adjusting to American society, but Sophie's real demons lay with her family's tragic history, which unfolds bit by bit as the years go by. Eventually Sophie's mother sends for her child, and the girl must travel to the United States to start a new life. Sophie ultimately breaks away from her mother but is unable to escape from the horrors of her past.
I strongly recommend it to all readers. This is a great novel about the diaspora of a Haitian girl to the US. Beautifully written, is the story of how mother and daughter come to terms in the new environment.
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