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humansreading's review
3.0
Not a bad anthology. My favorites from the bunch that I’d give 4 stars are: Which One?, Rosanna, Mercy at the Gate. Those had some beautiful twists
koraliedw's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The stories were uneven. Some were engrossing and interesting, others where quite shallow, and others felt rushed or unfinished. The writing was also quite uneven, though it might have been the translations - Haitian storytelling rhythm might be hard to capture in English.
ali_ace2407's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sittingwishingreading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nellamoon's review
3.0
TW: Rape, sexual assault, disturbing imagery
This collection of stories transports us into the mind and heart of Haiti, exploring its society through vastly different narratives. All of these stories are haunting to various degrees and if you're Haitian/of the diaspora, they will tug at your soul one way or the other. While I may not have related personally to many of the characters, I felt a connection to them by proxy of sharing an ethnic identity. The editor, Edwidge Danticat, did what she set out to do, which was to "create a nuanced and complex view of Haiti, and many of its neighbors and people."
My favorite stories:
Odette -4/5 stars
Rainbow's End - 5/5
Which One? - 5/5
The Harem - 4/5
Rosanna - 5/5
This collection of stories transports us into the mind and heart of Haiti, exploring its society through vastly different narratives. All of these stories are haunting to various degrees and if you're Haitian/of the diaspora, they will tug at your soul one way or the other. While I may not have related personally to many of the characters, I felt a connection to them by proxy of sharing an ethnic identity. The editor, Edwidge Danticat, did what she set out to do, which was to "create a nuanced and complex view of Haiti, and many of its neighbors and people."
My favorite stories:
Odette -4/5 stars
Rainbow's End - 5/5
Which One? - 5/5
The Harem - 4/5
Rosanna - 5/5
readingbooks_drinkingtea's review
I'm really not enjoying this collection of short stories. I'm stopping at more or less 60%. Short stories are already not my thing, but noir short stories... It's really not for me. I'm not criticizing the talent of these writers. It's just the format which doesn't suit me.
2treads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When I read collections like these that comprise authors from a country, who may or may not still be living in that country, I am reminded of why stories like these are so important and poignant. They are infused with the experience, love, reflection, difficulty, beauty, struggle, and everything in between that has been a part of their lives and the lives of their forefathers.
It is why we should be allowed to tackle the darker corners of our own worlds and existence, because we are the ones that should be able to explore the dualities, multiplicities of our homes and the people that remain and the actions that they are most times pushed to take.
The clarity, traditions, beliefs, and manifestations of culture, art, behaviour that is brought to each story within this anthology really speaks to the presence of mind of each author, their dedication to bring alive light and shadow, poverty and wealth, desperation and contentment.
There was however one story that hyper sexualized a female character of unspecified age, that was uncomfortable to read.
What is clear throughout the entire collection is the connection that each writer has with their island and its history and culture. This allows them to render each story in such a way that shows the realities, the violence and love; the murky underbelly; the rituals entwined with everyday activities. This intimacy makes what is most important shine: the people, their dreams and motivations. The violence is neither gratuitous nor heavy-handed. It exists.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Body horror
bookofcinz's review
3.0
I had read Haiti Noir 2 and I eagerly wanted to read the first one and I am happy I got my hands on this. Shout out to the National Library and Trinidad and Tobago for having this on the help.
Haiti Noir is edited by none other by the great Haitian author Edwidge Danticat and features stories from great Haitians including Ibi Zoboi. If you have been following my reviews for a while you would know that I have a great affinity for all things Haitian so I am always open to read Haitian stories.
As with all Noir series a lot of the stories explore some really dark and heavy themes but these are things we cannot turn away from. Some of the themes explored in this collection included migration, grief, violence, trauma and natural disaster. These themes are not new but they are done in a really strong way. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include:
The Finger by Gary Victor which gives a look into the violence in the country, following a thief to this demise. This story left me feeling tingly....
Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars focused on our definition of "paradise" and how it makes us never want to leave... and but the longer we stay the more drained we get.
Which One? by Evelyne Trouillot this story STUCK with me. It is a story about a family member living in New York that is looking to adopt one of her nephew's daughter...but which one?
The Harem by Ibi Zoboi takes us through an earthquake happening in Haiti, we follow this man as he tries to check on all his three lovers to make sure they are alive and doing well. It was A LOT.
Rosanna by Josaphat-Robert Large YOEW!!!!! A kidnapping story just always gets me and this one really ruined me
Who is that man by Yanick Lahens this story takes us through what happens when you are a good Samaritan.
Overall, a great collection, the stories that were good, were GREAT the ones that were not good, were not great.
If you love Haitian culture, history, literature I HIGHLY recommend this.
Haiti Noir is edited by none other by the great Haitian author Edwidge Danticat and features stories from great Haitians including Ibi Zoboi. If you have been following my reviews for a while you would know that I have a great affinity for all things Haitian so I am always open to read Haitian stories.
As with all Noir series a lot of the stories explore some really dark and heavy themes but these are things we cannot turn away from. Some of the themes explored in this collection included migration, grief, violence, trauma and natural disaster. These themes are not new but they are done in a really strong way. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include:
The Finger by Gary Victor which gives a look into the violence in the country, following a thief to this demise. This story left me feeling tingly....
Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars focused on our definition of "paradise" and how it makes us never want to leave... and but the longer we stay the more drained we get.
Which One? by Evelyne Trouillot this story STUCK with me. It is a story about a family member living in New York that is looking to adopt one of her nephew's daughter...but which one?
The Harem by Ibi Zoboi takes us through an earthquake happening in Haiti, we follow this man as he tries to check on all his three lovers to make sure they are alive and doing well. It was A LOT.
Rosanna by Josaphat-Robert Large YOEW!!!!! A kidnapping story just always gets me and this one really ruined me
Who is that man by Yanick Lahens this story takes us through what happens when you are a good Samaritan.
Overall, a great collection, the stories that were good, were GREAT the ones that were not good, were not great.
If you love Haitian culture, history, literature I HIGHLY recommend this.