Harare Review of Books

320 pages.

First published on May 10, 2022.

Genre: Fiction.

Grim, and harrowing: two words that may be used in the description of this novel. Trigger warnings for death, abuse, other forms of violence. Some spoilers ahead.

Three generations of Haitian women from two branches of a family, one branch having migrated to the US, interact in disturbing ways. Ties to the homeland remain very strong, but there is an acceptance that the homeland is a difficult place, and the women who remain in Haiti long to leave.

Genevieve, a divorcee living in the US, is struggling to protect her teenaged son. In an attempt to ground him and to show him his privilege, she decides to take him to Haiti. Just after their arrival, a devastating event occurs.

I found many aspects of this book disturbing and quite bleak, and would have stopped reading it (but it was an ARC!). Having finished it, though, I realised how much it moved me. It’s a passionate account of the travails of the people of Haiti, a cry from the heart for justice, mercy, and compassion. Using the women as a vehicle, Momplaisir advances a powerfully feministic viewpoint of migration, child-rearing and inheritance in the midst of national turmoil. This is also a devastating, heartbreaking account of (spoiler) the 2010 earthquake.

So, a hard read, reminiscent to me of Véronique Tadjo’s In The Company of Men. I did not enjoy this book, because of the content, but Momplaisir’s writing is powerful, urgent, and necessary.

Rated: 6/10.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for this eARC.

Extra note: The style of the writing—like prose poetry—is not my favourite thing.