Read & Carry On To Haiti With Love

Read & Carry On: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

My friends and I just finished reading Dear Haiti, Love Alaine. One read the ebook while two of us listened to the audiobook. Try Audible Plus

Description

Alaine Beauparlant is a 17 year-old Haitian American from Miami. A series of events causes Alaine to act out during a school presentation, which led to her suspension from school and being sent to Haiti. While in Haiti she learns more about her family’s history and the actions and inactions of her ancestors and immediate family that’s impacting her life now.

Review

The book was a slow start but when it did pick up it got good. I really love the historical fiction aspects of the book. Generally I would love to see more books by Caribbean authors in this literary genre.  I got excited when I recognized the names of the unsung women of the Haitian revolution from a former podcast guest who dedicated her “Liberator” bags to some of these women. 

The exploration of relationships is very critical to the story. Some relationships were presented in the “traditional Caribbean sense” while others were not the stereotypical portrayals. In our discussion of the book, my friends and I spent a lot of time discussing these relationships. We found these relationships interesting because we know they exist but don’t often see them portrayed. Our discussions drew parallels between the characters in the book and people we know that have some similar family dynamics.

Haiti’s geography, landscape is an important character in the book. My friends were enthralled by the description of Haiti throughout the book and are hoping to visit soon.  

Audiobook

As for the Audiobook, the Haitian accent sounded more French than Kreyol. It reminded me of upper class Jamaicans with a “stush” patois accent versus a thicker accent that I’m more familiar with. Which, I guess would make sense since the characters are affluent Haitians. Try Audible Plus to listen to Dear Haiti, Love Alaine.

Overall

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is categorized as a Young Adult book. There were places we hoped the book would have gone deeper but the subject matter probably isn’t suitable for the genre/audience. Overall it was an enjoyable read or in my case listen. 

About the Authors

Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite are Haitian American sisters raised in Florida. Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is their first book together.

Kerry-Ann

Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown is Founder & host of Carry On Friends one of the first podcasts dedicated to the Caribbean American Experience. She is leading the way for Caribbean Podcast as the founder of Breadfruit Media, the first Caribbean podcast production company; and founder of the Caribbean Podcast Directory a place to discover podcasts by people of Caribbean Heritage.