The Farming of Bones

By: Edwidge Danticat

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

It is 1937 and Amabelle Desir, a young Haitian woman living in the Dominican Republic, has built herself a life as the servant and companion of the wife of a wealthy colonel. She and Sebastien, a cane worker, are deeply in love and plan to marry.

But Amabelle's world collapses when a wave of genocidal violence, driven by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, leads to the slaughter of Haitian workers. Amabelle and Sebastien are separated, and she desperately flees the tide of violence for a Haiti she barely remembers.

Already acknowledged as a classic, this harrowing story of love and survival - from one of the most important voices of her generation - is an unforgettable memorial to the victims of the Parsley Massacre and a testimony to the power of human memory.

©1998 Edwidge Danticat (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"In addition to illuminating a shameful, little known chapter of history, Danticat gives us fully realized characters who endure their lives with dignity, a sensuously atmospheric setting and a perfectly paced narrative written in prose that is lushly poetic and erotic, specifically detailed...and starkly realistic." (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

Beautiful word choice and fluid story telling

This author always tells powerful stories with an authentic voice. I enjoy everything I read by her.

RIVETING!

Love, loss and everything in between. The way this story was written at times I felt like I was right there.

Mesmerizing!

I absolutely fell in love with this book from the very first chapter. Before I knew it I was several chapters into it. The narrator Adenrele Ojo also did the book a lot of justice. Well done! I can't wait to read more of Edwidge Danticat books!

A painful past

This book tells vividly the hardships, the pain, and sorrow of Haitians by neighbors on a small island. Sadly, the struggles continue for many Haitians looking for a different sunrise, sunset, in distant lands. This book was excellently written and brings the pain to light.

Finished

I just couldn’t get into this. I really didn’t like the voice of the narrator.