Brother, I'm Dying

Good, but sad

This was a good look into a typical Haitian American experience. It was very informative, well-written, but sad. I'm anxious to read her other books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enlightening

Having only and outsider's viewpoint --obtained from major media accounts -- of the events in Haiti as well as the treatment of Haitian immigrants in this country, I found this book to be thought provoking and an eye opener. While on one front, this is a book about a daughter and niece's love of her family and the sacrifices immigrant parents make to pave a better life for their children, it also uncovers the dirty secret of the way we treat certain immigrant populations in this country and makes one wonder if we are still the "land of opportunity and aslyum" to the world's downtrodden, or if, in fact, we seek immigrants with money and prestige over those seeking a safe and peaceful home.

Ms. Danticat's writing style draws you in immediately and the book's pace keeps you entranced. I can't wait to read her fiction based on this marvelous family story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Compelling...A must-read

This is Edwidge Danticat's most courageous and compelling work yet. Danticat tells more than a story about her childhood in Haiti and coming of age in the U.S. She beautifully folds into her story the stories of her family members, and she does so through their eyes and individual voices. In recounting her family's history and future, Danticat gently reminds us of the promise that America has held out for immigrants since the founding of this nation, while simultaneously confronting the reneging of that promise through hostile and inhumane immigration policies in recent years. In sum, Danticat's deeply personal and moving story is about how hope transforms tragedy and loss. I was not able to put it down. This is definitely a must-read book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Thank you, Ms Danticat

I've been to Haiti 5 times now. Edwidge helps me to understand why this amazing country is where it is today. She speaks to my heart.

An inspiring story.

After reading Brother I'm Dying I feel like a better reader. The book had great word choices and wonderful comparisons. It should give hope to people whose families are going through hard times. How one family and come together and stay together when they find out that there dad is dying. Even for the daughter to be so strong after not seeing her dad in a long time then going back to new York to find out that he is dying. She later found out that she was pregnant and had to deal with the exciting news knowing she was going to have a baby with her wonderful husband but trying to deal with her sadden family knowing her father was going to die. She has to other brothers to rely on but they are just as upset they are trying to all help out the mom while she's dealing with her husband of several years dying from cancer.

good for book discussions

My book discussion read this and it gave us a lot to talk about.

Her story hits home

I spend my Sunday afternoon finish Ms. Danticat's book because I could not put it down. I find myself inspired and thinking that this could be my story or any other immigrant's story. Her style is simple and accessible to all while she deals in complex and often emotionally charged situations and relationships. She brings me back to my childhood in Haiti and to my life here as a Haitian-American adult. My heart aches for her and her family but this is not a tragic story. This is a story of childhood, love, perseverance and a bright promising future with Mira. She's managed to produce yet another masterpiece. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the story of a little girl coming of age.

A reviewer

When I read Danticat, I deliberately read, and even reread, lines slowly--drag them out--like an infrequent amazing dessert that I want to last and last. I literally savor words, phrases, and ideas that enable her life's experiences to setttle immovably into my thoughts and emotions. In Brother, I'm Dying, Danticat's writing breeds inclusivity to her personhood. I, the reader, become the closest of...a friend, a relative, a part of her. This beautiful tribute tells of some of the worst of times, unbelievably horrible and fatal injustices, as well as the beautiful times of love. I am a Virginian who, through the writing of Edwidge Danticat, has grown to love the people of Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora as my own. Her writing promotes love, appreciation, and a sisterhood/brotherhood of Haitians and the world.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.