Brother, I'm Dying

This author tells a universal story from a Haitian-American point of view - love in the context of life and death. The books reads as if she is telling the story in your living space. Yet, her account of aspects the Haitian-American experience renders thought provoking exchange on what does it mean to be a hyphenated American.

I have read all of Danticat's works with great satisfaction. This tops the list to date!

The wonderful writer, Edwina Dandicat, recounts her life and the life of her family, particularly the Haitian uncle with whom she spent her early childhood. I listened to this just as the recent earthquake and its devastation was being broadcast on all the media and it gave me a human context to the recent history, the land, and its people. However, beyond that, it is a powerful memoir of a family, their love, their courage, and the ties that bind. I enjoyed the reading very much. It enhanced the story.

Not a great memoir, but a good one. Haiti has always had an air of mystery to it, and this story helped me understand it a bit. The narrator is one of the best I've heard.

What a stunning memoir! I was pleasantly surprised that the book was as much about life as death. Danticat's excellent telling of her story and describing her family members is impressive. The ending is shocking and infuriating. I commend Danticat for writing this part well, without excessive invectives.

I loved the fantastic narration by Robin Miles. I am now a devoted Robin Miles fan.

As a companion book, one set in Haiti, I recommend Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder.

This book ranks very high in my reading of the last few years. It truly grabbed me. Ever since the earthquake in Haiti, I've been attempting to learn about the Haitian people and their culture. This book surprised me in its depth. I loved it.

Learning about the death of the uncle, foster father.

The time of the baby's birth in Miami.

All of it.

First of all, the reading was stunningly beautiful. The storytelling was gripping as well, but I should note that the first half and the second half of the book have a very different feel. Not that either was bad, but it was a bit jarring, probably intentionally so.