Danticat is a classic author of Americn literature that centers her Haitian heritage. I think some of her short stories were in my school literature tDanticat is a classic author of Americn literature that centers her Haitian heritage. I think some of her short stories were in my school literature textbooks, nd I vaguely rememered parts as i read Krik? Krak! It was interesting to learn about Haitian culture, social fabric, traditions, and political history. I didn't know much at all about recent Haitian history, besides the earthquake, coups, UN abuses so it encouraged to explore further.
My favorite parts were (1) Children of the Sea, a tragic look into political repression aand brutality as Haitian political refugees fled on boats. (2) Nineteen Thirty Seven, the story of the daughter visiting her mother in prison. (3) The Missing Peace which slightly explores outsiders coming to Haiti to examine/report on the situation and that dynamic between Haitians who had to fly under the radar to stay safe versus the Haitian American lady that came to find her mother and challenged the militia. (4) New York Day Women&Caroline's Wedding, Haitian-American intergenerational women. These three stories were the most clearly intertwined. the Haitiaan refugee boat sinking is mentioned in a church memorial service during the Caroline's wedding chapter. It surprised me because i had interpreted the Children if the Sea chapter to be further back in history than the 1960s/80s vibe of Catoline's Wedding. The just shows how recent the political turmoil and brutality that Haitians went through. Then learning about the persecution of Haaitians in DR, how they tried to escape by jumping over the border/into rivers I think, which was portrayed in the Nineteen Thirty-Seven chapter. This one was just as a heartbreaking and brutal to read about the mother being tortured in prison over the suspicion of her being a witch. And how spirituality and "witchcraft" was actually a lifeline in Haitian women's tradition, the sisterhood of survivors of the DR massacres was represented in this chapter. The women had secret codes/poetic questions they asked eachother, almost a means of telling their stories... these resurfaced in the Caroline's Wedding chapter, where Grace, Caroline's sister, asks these questions to her Mom. I liked the way the spirituality and familial/homeland connections manifested within the "modern" Americanized context. Grace's dreams of her late father were super poignant to me because I've felt the same way the times I dreamed of my recently passed grandpa. The feeling is hard to describe, like an aching pain where you want to communicate with them, ask questions and express your grief in your dream, but you can't quite reach them bc the dream is abstract or has limitations. I know it's just a manifestation of missing the person but it's difficult to not cling to the dreams as a final connection to your loved one. I also liked the complex relationship between the daughters and mother, the underlying conflict hut also love and care they showed eachother. The book ends with way more innocent and hopeful, though still sad, chapters than the brutal ones in the beginning....more
it helped to already be introduced to the characters/dynamics/intricate plot points from book 1, because it flowed more easily in book 2. but it was sit helped to already be introduced to the characters/dynamics/intricate plot points from book 1, because it flowed more easily in book 2. but it was still a very dense book. i honestly would've preferred less of the gentrification subplot and other random scenes in favor of building up character's relationships in a "slice of life" way. But I do really like the message of the gentrification subplot and the little festival at the end to teach people about their property rights and community bonds. it's fun to have wish fulfillment scenarios. in contrast, the scenes with the villains were all lowkey cartoonish. like everybody just shows up to threaten/flirt with the main characters, they all wear "african tribal masks" (bruh). they still work for the Bainbridges for whatever reason even tho they're literally from the neighborhood he's trying to gentrify. i didn't find it compelling. but issokay. It was also interesting to see more of the BD's group structure and everything, like i'm now understanding more of the vision of what they're meant to be as far as a community leadership group. #goals
I think the most compelling subplot for me was Will and Lyric, even tho it didn't start until part 2 of the book. Idk they just ate, i really vibed with their motives of parental protectiveness, and swimming rivalry, and then power struggle/toxic interdependance & whatever juicy shit was happening... meanwhile, sadly, Leroy and Jay's relationship STILL felt so underdeveloped. again with the noncommunication and hesitancy and disconnect smh. oh well. im glad they developed into self-confident characters, who relaized their full potential, and got to go to college. wooo on the way to <3 chicagooo <3 (but its actually evanston and madison)
lastly, why does Will call his mother "Mum" ... he's a new yorker, not british. what the hell happened to "Moms" "Mama" maybe even "Mommy??" ok but so happy there was a nice resolution to Jay's dad subplot and i really like the way this book includes the adults/parental figures in the narrative realistically.
Btw :) still waiting :) for that animation :) haha any day now please. also i would sooo love it if that animatic concentrated more on the characters just going thru normal teenage stuff and we dont rlly NEED the espionage subplot. like you can still include themes of gentrification and stuff in a basic, slice of life way. still cool either way tho....more
This story addresses the important topic of how "American independence" didn't include Black people who were enslaved. Instead, both the British and AThis story addresses the important topic of how "American independence" didn't include Black people who were enslaved. Instead, both the British and American side exploited Black people as troops, laborers, slaves, and gave them false promises of freedom if their side won after the war. Then, when America won, America did not officially emancipate all the slaves until a century later, and New York state didn't emancipate them until 1820s.
The almost complete lack of other, active Black characters in this story made it so depressing. At the very least there should have POV's from Curzon and Ruth too. It would actually flesh out those characters much more, highlight what struggles they were going through. And it would make the plot more action-driven.
The only scene that finally relieved me was when multiple Black people were gathering water at the town pump and began discussing what could happen if they allied with either the americans or british. Most of them knew the promises of freedom in exchange for becoming mercenaries were likely false. But at the same time, those like Curzon who took their chances and felt they were fighting for mutual liberation from the british are understandable.
I really think we should've gotten more background on Curzon, what his backstory that led him to his actions were. I saw the sequel is mostly from his POV. And that he goes back to the american army???? Why? He owes them nothing. He already got shot in the leg and spent weeks rotting in prison, treated as the lowest soldier by his peers. I feel like that aspect just underscores the whole issue with this book's premise. Why should the Black character be fine being used for America nrevolution, while they themselves aren't freed, but rather, abused by Americans?
Also I would want to read the sequal, but honestly idk if this white author should be writing more Black people's stories when clearly her main focus in this book was dear ol patriots getting their freedom from britain. :/ It was obnoxious, misplaced, out-of-touch seeing the quotes at the start of every chapter from either an american revolution member or british elite describing their whitey experiences with the revolution... and then the story goes back to Isabel being abused as a slave.
There were only TWO quotes from Black people of the time out of FORTY FIVE from white Americans/Brits. One of them was a Black man's letter to the Continental Congress asking whether they'd abolish slavery if they truly wanted freedom and believed all men were created equal... and the second quote was about a former slave man who described being whipped so badly he'd bleed all the way down his back and pants.
Those are the main struggles that SHOULD have been at the heart of this story. More discussion about those conflicts from actual Black characters. Instead we got wayyy too many repetitive scenes about the slave owner family having dinner parties. of Isabel having to rely on the occasional "mercy" or "kindness" of a white person to just barely get by. It was frustrating to read the way Isabel had to constantly sacrifice her own comfort, safety, and health to help the "patriot cause" while she got nothing in return... Honestly, very accurate to what happened. But it felt like it was being dismissed away as "well the Patriot American fight is of larger importance." She spied on the slaveowner British-sympathizers and risked her life to give messages to the american troops... and they didn't help her at all. She saved the slaveowner family aunt from a housefire, and nursed her thru a stroke, all the aunt did was say "ugh i should've bought you to save you from being in this abusive household. oh well." and then the slaveowner wife, abusive POS and wealthy asf. and we're supposed to feel bad her husband slapped her. Both of them are two wealthy, powerful slave-owning rats who i could care less about lol
It got really frustrating to read that over and over, Isabel is supposed to help these people who are upholding the system that oppresses her bc "muh american revolution." And the author did make a point to address that fact through Isabel's thought process about how she was betrayed by these people. But the author herself was clearly more interested in writing about the American Revolution battles with quotes from Abigail Adams and John Adams Which is fine. She's clearly passionate about it and added alot of relevant historic info which I found educational. But she should've just stuck to that and not tacked on a half-baked plot about Black American slaves' experiences if she wasn't going to give that the proper emphasis and thought they deserved....more
knowing the historical background about how the U.S. often abused Black Americans and minorities for "medical" testing aka eugenics, is so important tknowing the historical background about how the U.S. often abused Black Americans and minorities for "medical" testing aka eugenics, is so important to know. and helps to make sense of this story. It's all based on real life, like Black women being experimented on and purposely sterilized, often without any painkillers. or the Tuskegee experiment where 600 Black men were purposely infected with syphillis. and then at the same time, people would tout the Tuskegee Airmen for being a regiment of Black fighter pilots. like wow, they were forced to destroy themselves in America's military industrial complex after decades of exploitation. how glorious. i think Frank's experience in the korean war partially showed that duality. like in the scene where he and some other black men were randomly stopped and searched by cops, who only stopped when they noticed his army medal/badge and realized he's a veteran. meanwhile, Frank is plagued by PTSD, his two childhood best friends were killed (segregated Black fighting regiments often had higher casualties and less resources in the U.S. army before desegration), and above all, he realized how depraved it was to be in the Korean War, destroying people homes and commiting war crimes against civilians.
the overarching theme of the book to me seemed to be about the various forms of institutionalized exploitation they faced, beyond the blatant racist violence. and i think Morrison kind of used the theme of "returning home" to their small-town to show a form of healing fromthat exploitation. where they were abused by the wider world, they had to construct their own communities and ended up finding refuge with fellow Black people in a town they built up and had for themselves. they weren't necessarily living a luxurious life, but just having that town as a home was important and represented safety.
Morrison often has themes about how Black home ownership and class escalation could represent a form of safety from the dangers they faced. so i think that was present in this story, but also showing that the characters never became "rich" but still found stability within their communities care.
this book reminded me how unique Morrison's writing. she is a queen of black literature because of the wayshe captures cultural motifs and dialect differences. super immersive and creative to read. most of her books have a really large cast of characters, with chapters interspersed with their POVs. I think thematically and in regard to the characters, Frank Money's narration reminds me the most of Milkman Dead from Song of Soloman. Also the way Morrison names her main characters is so funny and tongue-in-cheek to me. esp Milkman and the Breedlove family from The Bluest Eye. like omggg. those are very disturbing when you read about the perverted origins.
Which brings me to the point about how Morrison always has such dark, disturbing themes/events in her books. but they're done realistically and not just for shock factor. i think she is a pioneer of her own genre of mid-century Black American gothic. Definitely present in this book. for example, my theory is the zoot suit ghost man that they kept seeing is the one who's burial they witnessed.
i also like that Morrison makes every sentence and paragraph intentful, there's not alot of unnecessary wordiness or unnecessary events. yet it still feels like an organic, unforced narrative with interesting smaller plot points and details....more
How intergenerational novel genre allows minorities and immigrants to decipher their family histories. The story telling gradually unfolds, starting w How intergenerational novel genre allows minorities and immigrants to decipher their family histories. The story telling gradually unfolds, starting with the early history of the creek tribe that would be the forebearers of the Garfield family...
It starts with Ailey as a child, a paragraph citing core memories fo her childhood. we read her narrative with some holes in the story, things she doesn't know yet. and then the things are uncovered when we read lydias chapters afterward.
It's really special that this book has so many lines of narration and points of view, yet it never gets muddled. granted there are 816 pages to have each section occupy its distinguishable/definable space, so that helps. It was done really well.
A big theme was about skin color and colorism within the black community Ailey and her sisters were light skinned. Lydia mentions how having light skin made people scorn her for trying to “act pretty� when she was just being normal. They assumed that she thought of herself as better something. It also has stigma because of the indication that you are from a mixed family, and especially in the South, intermarriages were taboo. For one thing they were illegal, but also the racial power dynamics of white and black people made it difficult for black people to even have normal interracial relationships.
Lydia's story was so heartbreaking it literally made my chest ache after I read it. I had to put the story down for a bit and just wallow in it. I've never read such deep narrative that encapsulates the slow descent of drug addiction, just little by little until the person is too far gone and even when they want to recover, it's painstaking for them. in the pages where Lydia's at the clinic/apartment place, hidden from her family and thinking about everything that went wrong, and how much she wants to recover & reconnect with her family, but it's so difficult. Lydia described it as a journey she was too tired to walk. Conveying the exhaustion and emotional toll the traumatic things in her life had taken on her. I think that was one of the strongest character arcs and narratives presented in this book.
One of the most poignant scene was when Ailey’s history teacher takes the whole class out to a field with a large,old tree and tells the m the history of how that tree used to be a lynching tree. She tells them to think about and ruminate in the history of pain that was there, to learn about it so that they can heal from it. Saying to let go of the hurt brings back Ailey’s trauma from being molested as a child, and she begins to cry, with her friends there to comfort her.
I feel like that scene could have been such an interesting launch point to spur her interest in history, uncover her family history, and work through her traumas with the support of her history professor, her friends who suffered similarly, and her family too� Criticism: Instead, that scene is buried under Ailey’s typical college student antics, which unfortunately include alot of toxic relationships. i know this was included to show that Ailey and her sisters were grappling with the trauma of being molested, and they wanted to have agency in their consensual relationships during adulthood. It just really annoys me that so much of the book was just sex scenes. also how did she do that while being a medical student?? Like you don’t go through med school smoothly while also partying and dealing w so much drama. And overall, there were too many relationships in this story that felt weird or not fully fleshed out.
Personally I feel like more could have been done with Ailey’s adult life, it was interesting to see how it is to be a Black woman historian in a predominantly white, southern university in the era where critical race theory and books about being black get banned. I’m sure it’s a reflection of Fannon’s actual life experiences, and I like that there were black professors and people around her to support her and show her the best way to beat out the white people’s opposition was to prove them wrong by succeeding with her thesis.
For fans of this book, I recommend a load of my favorite books of similar genres and storytelling styles. I recommend Maya Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing,� “Love Medicine� by Louise Erdrich, and Amy Tan’s classic “Joy Luck Club� ...more
Went into this book with no idea that it was more of a satire/humor piece. I was expecting a really deep, heart-touching, realistic fiction book. I g Went into this book with no idea that it was more of a satire/humor piece. I was expecting a really deep, heart-touching, realistic fiction book. I got There was still deeper commentary about race relations, Americanization, LA culture etc. It's Boondocks type humor, the plot, characters writing remind me of the book "Deacon King Kong". So if you like those, you'll like this. Some parts will have you laughing while saying what the fuck?! Some jokes were not meant for my eyes. I'm not black, as so it's important to acknowledge: There's some jokes/parts in this book that are none of my business to be laughing at. Because those stuff aren't my struggle. Like to give a specific example, I can understand what someone being an 'Uncle Tom' is, but that doesn't mean I can use that term with anyone. Just read the book, and don't talk on things I don't know. I really enjoyed whatever I did get, and I read through this really quick. It's a very smooth flowing, fast-paced story.
At first this could've been a 4-star book, but by the end it felt way too random and rushed. I guess I understood what the author was trying to say with the whole college-organization-whiteliberal-cult-mass-suicide thing... But it all happened in just a few disjointed pages. Then the part with Nicolas was so random, and Gunnar barely had a reaction. Not to mention that weird "mail-order bride" thing was over the top: 1) It was inconsistent with Gunnar's characterization as aromantic 2) It went way too deep with a racist and misogynist trope, to the point that it wasn't like it was mocking the stereotype but instead, indulging it?? So Gunnar's emotional response to (spoilers) Nicolas' suicide and the "marriage" situation were nonexistent. That doesn't make sense from how he was written in first half of the book, where he was very emotional and thoughtful about his relationships with people. Since this was more of a satire/comedy book, I know that the characters don't have to consistent. But it felt like weak writing, more than anything.
Despite the mess at the end, most of this book was very interesting to read....more
(just my notes for class) -Robert F. Williams - Monroe, Union Country, North Carolina1961 -Integrating public spaces of pools libraries -Black people used(just my notes for class) -Robert F. Williams - Monroe, Union Country, North Carolina1961 -Integrating public spaces of pools libraries -Black people used picket line, armed resistance -Challenged white mobs demanding lynching -Local police supported white mobs, threatened black picketers -Eventually forced the use of state patrol to disperse violent crowd of white -Monroe town in south carolina also had a kkk headquarter, dwindling NAACP memebers were mostly uppermiddle class but leaving -Robert Williams came from marine corp and joined, became NAACP president with obly Dr. Albert E. Perry together to preserve went to Black ppls center in town to recruit members. -These new members were mostly working class and also vets 1957 monroe NAACP start to integrate public spaces -Not much struggle to integrate a public library despite other cities black people struggled to integrate libraries -Pools integration because many Black children were drowning in unofficial, unsafe swimming holes/natural bodies of water -First asked for a pool facility built in Black area of town, town said its too expensive Then asked for dif days for pool to be given to black people town said expensive bc they would drain water after Black people swam. obvious they had no intent of building a pool werent using surplis funds. Even when a white priest drive some black children to a segregated black peoples pool in charlotte carolina, he was barred bc it was segregated --- showed doubly racist beliefs and no consideration for safety and services for black people -Eventually naacp in monroe staged stand in at pool -Kkk response as thousands 3k to 5k to 7k gathering in fields areas?? To discuss "response" intimidate Black people of Monroe and openly stated they want to run NAACP president out of town, collected 6k "petition" signatures. -No legal basis of this petition or any actions -Kkk terrorized black people and women at gunpoint. Kkk drove motorcade patrols thru town and when Black citizens appraled to the police and city officials, kkk threats against black ppl wasnt condemned.
NAACP nad Black citizens appeal to north carolina governor luther hidges who supported kkk saying it wasnt being "disorderly" naqco also appealed to ores roosevelt but never got response from washington d.c. Robert Williams appelaed to NRA in d.c. for weapons ownerships charter bc vets encouraged to have weapons to defend homeland, got funds from nirth to have guns. 60 naacp members at that point. - 1957 kkk raid against dr. Perry house repelled by naacp defense w guns so city officials finally took this as banning kkk from monroe - only 3 nlack newspapers reported this armed response success against kkk which was 2 weeks before a similar Natives vs. Kkk which received more attention bc white america didnt see native minority as threat But if the armed self defence of Black people was reported as successful, less control by whites. Rqcist whites kkk resorted to using court cases against naacp and convicted dr. Perry of abortion and 5 to ten yrs 8n jail loss of medical liscense even tho dr perry never did abortion against his religious helifs. Shows how courts were very bias ignoring conplete fallacy.
October 1958 kissing case Two young Black children age 7 and 9 playing with ither children and some white children, a little white girl kissed the little black boy as part of game, also recognized him, When white parents found out two young boys were immediately 'arrested' and in county jail aprents not notified, accused of rape which prevents contact with outsidevlike family for accused and gets death sentence. -The courts had a separate trial heard white ppls story of events first and then rhough black ppl in and sentenced as guilty w 14 yrs in a reformator for both boys. -National naacp refused case bc "sex case" so local monroe naacp came in got a civil rights lawyer Conrad Lynn who asked judge ant fairbess of a "separate but equal" court proceeding... eventually Lynns associate got a picture of 2 young boys in reformatory which went to many newspapers like ones in europe and protests happened in northern u.s. and europe cities in favor of 2 boys. After national attention and a school contacted president, boys were finally released on feb 1959 -another case where white man chased a black woman from her homd, brutalized, assaulted, attempt or actually raped her by a road and a court case happened, white neighbof and womans son bothw itnesses to it, however court used racial bias to have white rapist acquitted and naacp pres williams tried to win case by getting lawyer which court rejected to use on floor... --- Culminated in large question of can legal be trusted in legally unfair south, how can black people respond to these crises without force and self defense and protection necessary bc legal not work... pres williams made statemrnt ehuch was broadcasted iver radios and setup NAACP new atitude of armed self defense. There was much contrversy tho at Robert Williams statements in favor of violence when needed and Williams other in monroe and union country pointed out that National Naacp hadnt helped them at other times sp why were they challenging them now and even white pacifist naacp asosciates wrote to nation naacp to tell them that violent slef defense respknse was necessary in south QUESTION How did regional differences in NAACP orgqnizations effect their policies, responses, leadership styles -solidarity btwn Robert Williams and Cuba and his rebuttal to challenges from ehite america vs cuba...more
I'm not done with the book yet, but this part irritated me so much, I had to write about it. I got so much second-Review Part 1 from January 29, 2021:
I'm not done with the book yet, but this part irritated me so much, I had to write about it. I got so much second-hand anger from how Skeeter was asking Aibilene to basically write the book for her.
She's already taking credit for all of Aibilene's advice for the newspaper column. And now she wants to turn Aibilene into a case study. First of all, seems like she's just doing it to have an exciting topic, beause she literally knows nothing about racism. Second, she got the idea to write a book from what Aibilene told her Treelore wanted to write, and acted like it was all her own, generous idea. And when Aibilene tells her about the extreme danger for a Black person to even talk about their experiences, how her loved ones and friends are getting killed and attacked, Skeeter just brushes it off. How dare she?
She's rich, white, extremely privileged. She's college-educated, have a well-paying job, and lives with all of life's luxuries on her parents plantation. And all of a sudden she think it'll be a fun experiment writing a book about Black peoples experience?
Privileged white people are still out here trying to speak for African Americans experiences, and it reeks pf white saviour complex.
Before reading this part, I had some sympathy for Skeeter, cause of the relatable mysogyny she faces. But then I remembered she's a sheltered rich white woman. The way she thinks talking to Aibilene (just for her own newspaper job) and wearing slippers from Mexico makes her some racial equality icon. Oh wow, she benefits from the labor and products of people of color and doesn't give anything back in return. And writing a book isn't helpful at all, because she's so ignorant and literally benefits from the racism of her environment.
Let's suppose she's using her platform on the newspaper to magnify Aibilene's voice or something. Yeah... why dont you just give Aibilene, or your own maid, like 5% of your wealth, so they don't have to work for you. Or at the very least, get off your rich, white ass and help Pascuagola with the housework. But nope, she thinks it's enough to use Aibilene's hardships as a case study to write some book on. Her wanting to write a book about African American's struggles, while simultaneously benefitting from those same struggles is so wrong.
Instead of ignorantly writing a book, spend your wealth and sacrifice your comfort to actually help Black people who are suffering right around you.
Review Part 2 from April 7, 2021: I don't recant my prior review, because it's justified criticism. However, I finished this book with the decision to ignore lots of the issues and pay attention to the good parts. I appreciated the author's note at the end....more
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