Family Love and Loss

The Danticat family experienced separation but we're able to maintain strong ties due to their love for one another. Denticat writes beautifully about two brothers, her father and uncle, and their experiences with the upheaval they faced in Haiti, and their attempts to protect their families. The closing paragraph brought tears to my eyes. ( )

Absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking memoir that should be better known. ( )

Autobiographical work recording the lives and events of the author's family, from the time they lived in BelAir, Port O Prince, Haití, to New York City and Miami, Florida. Haiti was passing through years of political upheaval and unrest, aggravated by U.S. intervention and gang warfare. Danticat's uncle, a Baptist preacher with his own church and school, was targeted for retaliation when UN soldiers shot at hang members and civilians from the roof of his church. Fleeing their promise to behead him, he seems temporary Asylum in Miami, only to be fvcked over by the U.S. Customs. At the same time that her uncle is being killed by a racist U.S. regime, the author's father is dying of lung disease in NYC. An important work, however frustrating and disheartening. ( )

Family Love and Loss

The Danticat family experienced separation but we're able to maintain strong ties due to their love for one another. Denticat writes beautifully about two brothers, her father and uncle, and their experiences with the upheaval they faced in Haiti, and their attempts to protect their families. The closing paragraph brought tears to my eyes. ( )

Brother, I am Dying by Edwidge Danticat is a must read for people to learn more about Haiti, the author and her family and the problems with immigrating to the United States.

The author was only four years old when her parents left for United States. Her uncle Joseph was left in charge of her and her brother Andre. At that age, she did not realize what was happening. So they lived under the protection of their aunt and uncle for eight years. When living in Haiti became more and more dangerous, her parents sent for them. It was heartbreaking for her to leave her uncle Joseph and Haiti and but it was necessary. The last stories of her uncle coming to the United States are so horrible that I kept hoping for a happier ending but it was not to be.

This story is full of tender moments of love, forgiveness, folk tales, family lessons, and tragedy.

Please either read or listen to it. ( )