Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

Edwidge Danticat's first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, is a beautiful story about Sophie Caco, a young Haitian girl, and the generations of women in her family.

The novel traces the journey of Sophie Caco, who leaves her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets and moves to New York to reunite with her mother after many years. Sophie is initially hesitant and clings to Tante Atie, her aunt who provided care and supervision in the absence of her mother. However, she has no choice but to move to a foreign country and live with her mother whom she barely remembers.

In her new home, Sophie discovers shocking family secrets that unfold bit by bit over the years, deeply affecting her overall well-being and relationships with others. She eventually returns to her homeland, desperate for comfort, justification, and redemption.

Danticat's simple and smooth prose allows for fairly easy comprehension and connection with the storyline. Her voice is clear and powerful, providing readers with a glimpse of the Haitian life and culture, particularly among females. In addition to the traditions and customs, Danticat also exposes the political violence and poverty that plagues much of Haiti. The book is short, but it includes enough detail and characterization for readers to visualize the situations. It seems, however, to be lacking in the development of Sophie's relationship with her mother and Tante Atie. Regardless, this does not take away from the book's abilities.

A truly heartening story, Breath, Eyes, Memory is a novel that celebrates strong family ties amidst hardships, upheaval, and sorrow. I highly recommend it.