Breath, Eyes, Memory
The 20th anniversary edition of Edwidge Danticat's groundbreaking debut, now an established classic--revised and with a new introduction by the author, and including extensive bonus materials
At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished Haitian village to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti—to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence. In her stunning literary debut, Danticat evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti—and the enduring strength of Haiti’s women—with vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people’s suffering and courage.
At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished Haitian village to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti—to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence. In her stunning literary debut, Danticat evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti—and the enduring strength of Haiti’s women—with vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people’s suffering and courage.
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Community Reviews
An extraordinarily well written novel. There is so much going on in this novel, sometimes just beneath the surface—the crushing oppression of societal poverty, the richness of cultural tradition, the peril of cultural expectations, sexual violence, mental illness, immigration & assimilation, etc., etc. But Danticat tells the story with a sensitivity and subtlety that keeps the narrative itself always alive & compelling.
This book is definitely a heavy read but it was also a beautiful one. While the prose and writing style may seem straightforward to most reviewers, I felt that it perfectly suited the story and that just because it was straightforward does not mean the story or style had no magic. I loved Danticat's emphasis on color and food and how she used these components in the story and I loved the folk stories that were intertwined with the plot. I think that Danticat's prose made it easier to immediately immerse yourself in the story.
I will say, however, that the dialogue does fall short in numerous parts - it seems like the characters talk in chopped, short sentences and are very straightforward. However, this did not take away from the novel for me at all. I loved the complexity and duality of all of the characters and I loved following along with the lives of the Caco women, however traumatic their lives may be. I think this is a story that will stick with me and for that, it is five stars.
I will say, however, that the dialogue does fall short in numerous parts - it seems like the characters talk in chopped, short sentences and are very straightforward. However, this did not take away from the novel for me at all. I loved the complexity and duality of all of the characters and I loved following along with the lives of the Caco women, however traumatic their lives may be. I think this is a story that will stick with me and for that, it is five stars.
This book speaks to the generational traumas and toxic purity culture passed down by mothers within many Caribbean families and is caused by their moms and experiences. TW!! It includes mentions of rape and abuse. Overall an excellent bildungsroman book that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions with a lot of symbolism.
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