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The Farming of Bones

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The novel The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat is a haunting tale set in the Dominican Republic in 1937, amidst the genocide of Haitians. The story is narrated through the perspective of Amabelle Desir, a Haitian orphan who has endured immense hardships and tragedy. As she navigates through the violence and heartbreak, Amabelle emerges as a resilient survivor, capturing the essence of humanity in the face of state-sponsored bigotry and brutality. The narrative structure alternates between standard past tense narration and dreamlike present tense fragments, painting a vivid picture of the Parsley Massacre and the profound loss and grief experienced by the characters.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, with Amabelle embodying resilience and the struggle for belonging amidst a backdrop of violence.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by lyrical and evocative prose that effectively conveys deep emotions and historical context.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles the life of Amabelle Desir as she navigates love, loss, and survival during the 1937 Haitian massacre in the Dominican Republic.

Setting:

The setting is crucial as it reflects the cultural and racial tensions of the Dominican Republic during the 1930s.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a gradual buildup that accelerates during key violent events, followed by reflective moments afterward.
He comes most nights to put an end to my nightmare, the one I have all the time, of my parents drowning. While my body is struggling against sleep, fighting itself to awaken, he whispers for me to “li...

Notes:

The novel follows Amabelle Desir, a Haitian orphan living in the Dominican Republic.
It explores themes of survival, love, and loss amidst the backdrop of the 1937 Parsley Massacre.
Amabelle's parents drowned in the river separating the two countries when she was young.
The story sheds light on the racial tensions between Haitians and Dominicans during Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship.
Danticat's writing is described as lyrical and beautifully evocative, capturing both beauty and brutality.
The massacre was partly determined by the pronunciation of the word 'parsley' as a shibboleth.
Amabelle’s love story with Sebastien Onius offers a glimpse of hope amid the tragedy.
The absence of a glossary for Haitian terms encourages readers to seek further understanding of Haitian culture and history.
The book is noted for its emotional depth and is not recommended for young readers due to its heavy themes.
Danticat expresses a dedication to her mother in the acknowledgments, reflecting on familial love and storytelling.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings for violence, ethnic cleansing, trauma, and death, particularly related to the historical events of the Parsley Massacre.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the story as it focuses on Amabelle's love for Sebastien, which is developed amidst the dire historical backdrop.

From The Publisher:

It is 1937 and Amabelle Désir, a young Haitian woman living in the Dominican Republic, has built herself a life as the servant and companion of the wife of a wealthy colonel. She and Sebastien, a cane worker, are deeply in love and plan to marry. But Amabelle's world collapses when a wave of genocidal violence, driven by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, leads to the slaughter of Haitian workers. Amabelle and Sebastien are separated, and she desperately flees the tide of violence for a Haiti she barely remembers.

Already acknowledged as a classic, this harrowing story of love and survival-from one of the most important voices of her generation-is an unforgettable memorial to the victims of the Parsley Massacre and a testimony to the power of human memory.

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About the Author:

Edwidge Danticat is the author of numerous books, including Brother, I'm Dying, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was a National Book Award finalist; Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah Book Club selection; Krik? Krak!, a National Book Award finalist; and The Dew Breaker, winner of the inaugural Story Prize. The recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and elsewhere. The Farming of Bones won an American Book Award for fiction in 1999.

 
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