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Edwidge Danticat

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222 Seiten
8 Lesestunden

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Oprah Book Club® Selection, May 1998: "I come from a place where breath, eyes and memory are one..." The speaker is Sophie, the heroine of Edwidge Danticat's debut novel, set in Haiti. Like Sophie, Danticat was raised in Haiti by an aunt before moving to the United States at age 12. The story begins on Mother's Day, as young Sophie learns she will leave her home in Croix-des-Rosets to live with her mother in New York City. These early chapters beautifully capture the poignant relationship between the motherless Sophie and her childless aunt, Tante Atie, who feels compelled to prioritize her sister’s maternal rights. Danticat vividly portrays life in Haiti, from community potlucks to folk tales. As Sophie transitions to New York, the narrative takes on a connected story format. Upon arriving, she meets her mother and learns of her traumatic origins. The story then jumps ahead to Sophie's high school graduation and her infatuation with an older neighbor. However, the novel's latter half becomes heavy-handed, focusing on Sophie's mother's obsession with her daughter's virginity, leading to a rift in their relationship. Themes of victimization emerge, including female genital mutilation and incest, which overshadow the narrative's earlier strengths. Despite some plot issues, Danticat's lyrical prose remains captivating, inviting readers to explore her short stories and other West Indian fiction.