Book Reviews of Breath, Eyes, Memory

Edwidge Danticat creates a cast of characters who epitomize the relationship, the connection, of mothers and daughters. This fast moving storyline takes the reader between Haiti and New York City and once again to Haiti for its dramatic conclusion. The author really captures the flavor of Haiti, its scenery, its people and the flavor of their lives. I love this book - it is truly beautifully written and I recommend it to everyone.

At the age of twelve, Sopie Caco is sent from her village in Haiti to live with her mother, whom she hardly remembers, in New York City. There she discovers secrets about her mother, her birth and her family.

An Oprah Book Club selection, this is a story that is both disturbing and inspiring. It gave me a lot of insight as to the lives of the women of Haiti.

Good writing. For example: "I come from a place where breath, eyes and memory are one, a place from which you carry your past like the hair on your head. Where women return to their children as butterflies or as tears in the eyes of the statues that their daughters pray to."

Hmmm...this was an interesting story. Sad at parts. Not one I'd recommend - some parts were disturbing.

This book makes you feel as though you are with the author in Haiti. The author is very good at making you feel the emotions of the main character. While the end is not nicely tied up neatly like some stories, the fact it is real life and not fiction sometimes doesn't really have an ending, as such. Life continues ...

Lyrical writing, tranforms you to Haitian village life.

This haunting story is a very rewarding quick read.

Excellent read. Was an Oprah book club pick.

Great book!

Wonderful reading.I enjoyed this book and learned
a few things too!

Really good book!

Interesting coming-of-age book. Takes place in New Yrok and Croix-des-Rosets.

youthful author with beautiful, lyrical account of life from native Haiti to New York at age 12 - strength of Haitian women in fictional account. Spiritual landscape vividly portrayed

Another book I liked so much, I picked up a spare to share.

Danticat's writing style brings you right into the setting. You can see the people of Haiti, smell the smells, and feel the emotions of the characters.

Great book. I was not able to put it down.

I love about half of Oprah's picks. This is one of the good ones.

At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti - to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people.

Oprah's Book Club book

Good book.

At an astonishingly young age Edwidge Danticat has become one of our most celebrated newnobelists, an writer who evokes the wonder, terror and heartache of her native Haiti-and the enduring strength of Haiti's women-with a vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bears witness to her people's suffering and courage....
At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des Rosets to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers.There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti-to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people.

Oprah's book club selection, great book

I enjoyed the character of Sophie,the culture shock of moving for her was great.often sad,but the women here are strong.

powerful novel set in Haiti, focused on the strong women, the wonder, terror and heartache of Haiti.

Oprah's book club...

Interesting read!!

This was an Oprah pick from years ago. It's about a young girl from Haiti.

awesome story of a haitian girl and her life journey...captivating.

Simply a beautiful book!

I was fascinated by this Haitian fiction, the first I've read. A quick read, opened my eyes to a new world.

This was a very moving emotional book with great characterization. I't s an Oprah's Book Club selection. It's about a girl born in Haiti who moves to the US and the contrast of cultures & her experiences.

Oprah's Book Club (back cover):At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti - to the women who first reared her.

Made me cry. I don't usually read this type of book but it was good. I was particularly interested in how it portrayed the psychological impact of virginity testing in young girls. While I've seen FGM cases, this was not a cultural tradition I'd heard of before. Surprisingly, after reading this book, I saw an article on the issue in the NYT.

"Vibrant, magic...wraps readers into the haunting life of a young Haitian girl." Excellent book from Oprah's book club. Highly recomend.

Great book! Very moving.

very good book

My wife read this book quite some time ago, and could not provide an adequate review. Below is an excerpt from the back cover of the book, which I hope is helpful.

"At the age of 12, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reuinited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti - to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people."