What do you think?
Rate this book
Haiti Noir
Launched with the summer ’04 award-winning best seller Brooklyn Noir, Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies. Each book is comprised of all-new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.
Featuring brand-new stories by: Edwidge Danticat, Rodney Saint-Éloi, Madison Smartt Bell, Gary Victor, M.J. Fievre, Marvin Victor, Yanick Lahens, Louis-Philipe Dalembert, Kettly Mars, Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel, Evelyne Trouillot, Katia Ulysse, Ibi Aanu Zoboi, Nadine Pinede, and others.
Haiti has a tragic history and continues to be one of the most destitute places on the planet, especially in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Here, however, Danticat reveals that even while the subject matter remains dark, the caliber of Haitian writing is of the highest order.
Featuring brand-new stories by: Edwidge Danticat, Rodney Saint-Éloi, Madison Smartt Bell, Gary Victor, M.J. Fievre, Marvin Victor, Yanick Lahens, Louis-Philipe Dalembert, Kettly Mars, Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel, Evelyne Trouillot, Katia Ulysse, Ibi Aanu Zoboi, Nadine Pinede, and others.
Haiti has a tragic history and continues to be one of the most destitute places on the planet, especially in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Here, however, Danticat reveals that even while the subject matter remains dark, the caliber of Haitian writing is of the highest order.
300 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2010
68 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
About the author
Edwidge Danticat
133 books2,778 followersEdwidge Danticat is a Haitian American novelist and short story writer. Her first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, was published in 1994 and went on to become an Oprah's Book Club selection. Danticat has since written or edited several books and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. Her work has dealt with themes of national identity, mother-daughter relationships, and diasporic politics. In 2023, she was named the Wun Tsun Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 17, 2011
My story in here is "The Harem". I think this anthology will be groundbreaking. "Noir" fictio--crime/mystery fiction set in Haiti.
April 10, 2022
This collection of short stories was published at the time of the 2010 Haiti earthquake & the opening story is set during this terrible event. This opening story & a few of the others are excellent, but most of the tales here are a mixed bag of quality.
I expected more from this collection, but at least the story Paradise Hotel was a real gem. It tells of a policeman who is sent to an isolated village & the strange effect it has on him. If only the other stories could have matched this one it would have been a great collection.
I expected more from this collection, but at least the story Paradise Hotel was a real gem. It tells of a policeman who is sent to an isolated village & the strange effect it has on him. If only the other stories could have matched this one it would have been a great collection.
July 29, 2020
I had read Haiti Noir 2 and I eagerly wanted to read the first one and I am happy I got my hands on this. Shout out to the National Library and Trinidad and Tobago for having this on the help.
Haiti Noir is edited by none other by the great Haitian author Edwidge Danticat and features stories from great Haitians including Ibi Zoboi. If you have been following my reviews for a while you would know that I have a great affinity for all things Haitian so I am always open to read Haitian stories.
As with all Noir series a lot of the stories explore some really dark and heavy themes but these are things we cannot turn away from. Some of the themes explored in this collection included migration, grief, violence, trauma and natural disaster. These themes are not new but they are done in a really strong way. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include:
The Finger by Gary Victor which gives a look into the violence in the country, following a thief to this demise. This story left me feeling tingly....
Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars focused on our definition of "paradise" and how it makes us never want to leave... and but the longer we stay the more drained we get.
Which One? by Evelyne Trouillot this story STUCK with me. It is a story about a family member living in New York that is looking to adopt one of her nephew's daughter...but which one?
The Harem by Ibi Zoboi takes us through an earthquake happening in Haiti, we follow this man as he tries to check on all his three lovers to make sure they are alive and doing well. It was A LOT.
Rosanna by Josaphat-Robert Large YOEW!!!!! A kidnapping story just always gets me and this one really ruined me
Who is that man by Yanick Lahens this story takes us through what happens when you are a good Samaritan.
Overall, a great collection, the stories that were good, were GREAT the ones that were not good, were not great.
If you love Haitian culture, history, literature I HIGHLY recommend this.
Haiti Noir is edited by none other by the great Haitian author Edwidge Danticat and features stories from great Haitians including Ibi Zoboi. If you have been following my reviews for a while you would know that I have a great affinity for all things Haitian so I am always open to read Haitian stories.
As with all Noir series a lot of the stories explore some really dark and heavy themes but these are things we cannot turn away from. Some of the themes explored in this collection included migration, grief, violence, trauma and natural disaster. These themes are not new but they are done in a really strong way. Some of my favorite stories in this collection include:
The Finger by Gary Victor which gives a look into the violence in the country, following a thief to this demise. This story left me feeling tingly....
Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars focused on our definition of "paradise" and how it makes us never want to leave... and but the longer we stay the more drained we get.
Which One? by Evelyne Trouillot this story STUCK with me. It is a story about a family member living in New York that is looking to adopt one of her nephew's daughter...but which one?
The Harem by Ibi Zoboi takes us through an earthquake happening in Haiti, we follow this man as he tries to check on all his three lovers to make sure they are alive and doing well. It was A LOT.
Rosanna by Josaphat-Robert Large YOEW!!!!! A kidnapping story just always gets me and this one really ruined me
Who is that man by Yanick Lahens this story takes us through what happens when you are a good Samaritan.
Overall, a great collection, the stories that were good, were GREAT the ones that were not good, were not great.
If you love Haitian culture, history, literature I HIGHLY recommend this.
May 4, 2011
This is the first book in the "Noir" series by Akashic Books that I have read. I was interested for the obvious reason - the Earthquake that devastated the country. What would the stories coming out of this country be like? As a bonus, Edwidge Danticat was involved in this collection of stories; so, how could I resist?
I liked the book once I got through Part 1. For some reason, these stories just did not interest me. The beauty of the short story is their length - the pain is short-lived if not towards your interests. I loved Danicat's "Claire of the Sea Light," dealing with the adoption of an unwanted girl; Zoboi's "The Harem," which takes place during the Earthquake and involves a gigolo and his 3 women; and Cerat's "Maloulou," which dealt with a creature of legend that stalks the night and punishes wrong-doers. I forget which one dealt with the kidnapping of a wealthy young woman, but the ending was just fab.
I was surprised to learn how dangerous Haiti can be, but then again, our view of that country is so limited as foreigners. In spite of the crime and poverty in Haiti, it can also be beautiful. This is in evidence from the story in which an older woman is transplanted to the United States and withers away because she is away from her beloved country. Again, the name of this story escapes me, but the images and emotions of it do not. The author was very sensitive and in-tune with the older character and it was a very moving portrait.
Mixed review because my personal tastes allowed me to thoroughly enjoy some stories while feeling luke-warm about others. I did get a picture of the country through the stories and the rich culture that pervades the tempo and timbre of each unique story.
I liked the book once I got through Part 1. For some reason, these stories just did not interest me. The beauty of the short story is their length - the pain is short-lived if not towards your interests. I loved Danicat's "Claire of the Sea Light," dealing with the adoption of an unwanted girl; Zoboi's "The Harem," which takes place during the Earthquake and involves a gigolo and his 3 women; and Cerat's "Maloulou," which dealt with a creature of legend that stalks the night and punishes wrong-doers. I forget which one dealt with the kidnapping of a wealthy young woman, but the ending was just fab.
I was surprised to learn how dangerous Haiti can be, but then again, our view of that country is so limited as foreigners. In spite of the crime and poverty in Haiti, it can also be beautiful. This is in evidence from the story in which an older woman is transplanted to the United States and withers away because she is away from her beloved country. Again, the name of this story escapes me, but the images and emotions of it do not. The author was very sensitive and in-tune with the older character and it was a very moving portrait.
Mixed review because my personal tastes allowed me to thoroughly enjoy some stories while feeling luke-warm about others. I did get a picture of the country through the stories and the rich culture that pervades the tempo and timbre of each unique story.
March 27, 2021
I'm not gonna lie, I had to look up what noir even meant. For those ignorant hillbillies like myself, noir is a genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity. However, according the intro to the book, noir is also the French word for black, and Haiti became the first black republic in the Western hemisphere when it was established by former slaves in 1804. It can also refer to any Haitian citizen, regardless of race. The founders of the republic designated it that way so that even the Polish soldiers who deserted the French to fight alongside Haitians during their battle for independence were considered nwa (creole for black). While all other foreigners of whatever race were considered blan (creole for white).
This is a collection of short stories from a variety of authors all with the Haitain experience as the setting. The majority of the stories are set before the earthquake of 2010, but a few are set after and even during. There's murder, mystery, mysticism, sorrow, and echoes of voodoo in nearly every story. It was also my first taste of Danticat's 'Claire of the Sea Gods' story, which might be one of my favorite Danticat stories.
As one reviewer stated, "Several of the stories left me with a lingering sense of sadness, feeling keenly aware of my own privileges; they made me think about nationality, race, class, and more. I thought about childcare and eldercare; about doing what's right versus what is necessary for survival. It took me a long time to work through this book because I so often felt the need to reflect on each story -- on the truth of those characters. In short, truly a remarkable collection."
In my search to read anything and everything about Haiti before traveling there, this is easily within my top 5 books. It'd be enjoyable even without travel plans
This is a collection of short stories from a variety of authors all with the Haitain experience as the setting. The majority of the stories are set before the earthquake of 2010, but a few are set after and even during. There's murder, mystery, mysticism, sorrow, and echoes of voodoo in nearly every story. It was also my first taste of Danticat's 'Claire of the Sea Gods' story, which might be one of my favorite Danticat stories.
As one reviewer stated, "Several of the stories left me with a lingering sense of sadness, feeling keenly aware of my own privileges; they made me think about nationality, race, class, and more. I thought about childcare and eldercare; about doing what's right versus what is necessary for survival. It took me a long time to work through this book because I so often felt the need to reflect on each story -- on the truth of those characters. In short, truly a remarkable collection."
In my search to read anything and everything about Haiti before traveling there, this is easily within my top 5 books. It'd be enjoyable even without travel plans
June 15, 2011
Well-written and jarring. I won't read noir anymore because it's not my thing and creeps me out too much, but I certainly learned more about Haitian culture than my parents even told me about. It's going to spark some interesting conversation between me and my mother.
July 16, 2014
Beautiful, but very depressing. Poverty, corruption. The last story about the U.S. dumping toxic waste is probably the worst though.
dnf
October 1, 2018I'm really not enjoying this collection of short stories. I'm stopping at more or less 60%. Short stories are already not my thing, but noir short stories... It's really not for me. I'm not criticizing the talent of these writers. It's just the format which doesn't suit me.
August 25, 2018
This is a short story collection from Haitian writers, both those living in Haiti or in the tenth department(in the diaspora). It forms part of the Noir series published by Akashi Books. As expected with a noir theme the stories are often dark. Good doesn’t always win, characters are morally ambiguous but you learn about the country featured or city. I was hoping that it would subvert the many misconceptions about Haiti and it does. Just not sure how successful that attempt has been. Overall there are quite a few well written short stories which stay with you. Others end leaving you confused( Departure Lounge)or wishing there was a novel by the author. And since this anthology was released near the earthquake in 2010, some stories feature this crucial event.
My favorite stories, mainly the first two parts focus on family sagas including Claire of the Sea Light or the detective noir where being a good detective is not all it is cracked up to be( Paradise Inn and Dangerous Crossroads are a few in this light).
Writing: 3/5 even when certain stories became predictable the writing kept me hooked. You can expect Creole interspersed with translation provided in the next sentence.
Plot: 3/5 only a few stories rambled with no obvious path. Most had the right mix of complexity and believability. There is quite a bit of magical realism /fantastical elements in some tales, especially those involving Vodou.
Characters: 4/5.
Setting: 4/5 You learn more about areas in Haiti such as Cap Haitien, Pétionville and of course Port-au-Prince. but more importantly you get a feel for how Haitians see themselves as a people and from the stigma attached to them.
Emotional impact: 3/5
Overall rating 3.4(rounded to 3.5)
My favorite stories, mainly the first two parts focus on family sagas including Claire of the Sea Light or the detective noir where being a good detective is not all it is cracked up to be( Paradise Inn and Dangerous Crossroads are a few in this light).
Writing: 3/5 even when certain stories became predictable the writing kept me hooked. You can expect Creole interspersed with translation provided in the next sentence.
Plot: 3/5 only a few stories rambled with no obvious path. Most had the right mix of complexity and believability. There is quite a bit of magical realism /fantastical elements in some tales, especially those involving Vodou.
Characters: 4/5.
Setting: 4/5 You learn more about areas in Haiti such as Cap Haitien, Pétionville and of course Port-au-Prince. but more importantly you get a feel for how Haitians see themselves as a people and from the stigma attached to them.
Emotional impact: 3/5
Overall rating 3.4(rounded to 3.5)
July 2, 2021
This anthology kept me under.
When I read collections like these that comprise authors from a country, who may or may not still be living in that country, I am reminded of why stories like these are so important and poignant. They are infused with the experience, love, reflection, difficulty, beauty, struggle, and everything in between that has been a part of their lives and the lives of their forefathers.
It is why we should be allowed to tackle the darker corners of our own worlds and existence, because we are the ones that should be able to explore the dualities, multiplicities of our homes and the people that remain and the actions that they are most times pushed to take.
The clarity, traditions, beliefs, and manifestations of culture, art, behaviour that is brought to each story within this anthology really speaks to the presence of mind of each author, their dedication to bring alive light and shadow, poverty and wealth, desperation and contentment.
There was however one story that hyper sexualized a female character of unspecified age, that was uncomfortable to read.
What is clear throughout the entire collection is the connection that each writer has with their island and its history and culture. This allows them to render each story in such a way that shows the realities, the violence and love; the murky underbelly; the rituals entwined with everyday activities. This intimacy makes what is most important shine: the people, their dreams and motivations. The violence is neither gratuitous nor heavy-handed. It exists.
When I read collections like these that comprise authors from a country, who may or may not still be living in that country, I am reminded of why stories like these are so important and poignant. They are infused with the experience, love, reflection, difficulty, beauty, struggle, and everything in between that has been a part of their lives and the lives of their forefathers.
It is why we should be allowed to tackle the darker corners of our own worlds and existence, because we are the ones that should be able to explore the dualities, multiplicities of our homes and the people that remain and the actions that they are most times pushed to take.
The clarity, traditions, beliefs, and manifestations of culture, art, behaviour that is brought to each story within this anthology really speaks to the presence of mind of each author, their dedication to bring alive light and shadow, poverty and wealth, desperation and contentment.
There was however one story that hyper sexualized a female character of unspecified age, that was uncomfortable to read.
What is clear throughout the entire collection is the connection that each writer has with their island and its history and culture. This allows them to render each story in such a way that shows the realities, the violence and love; the murky underbelly; the rituals entwined with everyday activities. This intimacy makes what is most important shine: the people, their dreams and motivations. The violence is neither gratuitous nor heavy-handed. It exists.
April 17, 2014
I've read more than half of this quite attentively, and virtually every story has been terrible. Resorted to leisurely skimming each time rolling my eyes. I'm wondering whether it was the selection of stories, the translations, or merely the Noir theme. I was really excited about this book and had this one on my to-read list for a long time. I came close to even shelling out cash to purchase this one for my kindle. Thank goodness I didn't do that.
Every year I end up giving one or two books a single star. I have a high tolerance for garbage, as various institutions (graduate and undergrad) have made me read a ton of stuff that I'd normally just be happy with looking at the cover.
What a disaster.
It pains me because Edwidge Danticat is battling to be my favorite author. Her role was limited as an editor, but come on. Claire of the Sea Light was incredible, one of those Top 10 Books forever. Imagine my surprise when I saw the first chapter of that book in this one! Of course, Danticat went with the noir theme and changed a few things up (some words here and there) and then the new ending was dumb and a seriously cheap and lazy way out. A lot of these short stories were idly written and just bad. Even one I kind of liked about a policeman at a hotel was written poorly.
Ultimately, the concept was awesome (different locations of Haiti) but the execution was horrendous. Awful, awful, awful. Terrible!
Every year I end up giving one or two books a single star. I have a high tolerance for garbage, as various institutions (graduate and undergrad) have made me read a ton of stuff that I'd normally just be happy with looking at the cover.
What a disaster.
It pains me because Edwidge Danticat is battling to be my favorite author. Her role was limited as an editor, but come on. Claire of the Sea Light was incredible, one of those Top 10 Books forever. Imagine my surprise when I saw the first chapter of that book in this one! Of course, Danticat went with the noir theme and changed a few things up (some words here and there) and then the new ending was dumb and a seriously cheap and lazy way out. A lot of these short stories were idly written and just bad. Even one I kind of liked about a policeman at a hotel was written poorly.
Ultimately, the concept was awesome (different locations of Haiti) but the execution was horrendous. Awful, awful, awful. Terrible!
January 13, 2012
This collection was nothing that I expected it to be. The title HAITI NOIR led me to believe I'd get a collection of hard-boiled stories in a Haitian setting. Not so. Most of these were dark, most of these were horror, either psychological horror or the horror of the human condition. Eventually, after spending some time reading, I was pulled into the surrounds, the patois, the feel of Haiti in several of these tales, and as such worthy as a background. There were not, however, actually that many stories that stood out for me.
May 4, 2013
I started reading this book before going to Haiti and wound up truly disturbed and even wondering if I should go. Then when I returned and picked up the book again the remaining stories were not so harsh. In my short week in Haiti I had also gained more of an understanding of the country and the country. The book introduced me to a few authors I will read more of, and I am pleased to see there is a Haiti Noir 2 that will be published soon.
September 26, 2013
Enjoyable mix of short stories in this collection edited by Edwidge Danticat.
January 18, 2012
Haiti churns out bad news daily whether it is a cholera epidemic, a returning dictator or two or the aftermath of the earthquake of 2010. Visitors to the island nation know there is beauty, culture and miraculous people. The armchair traveler has a plethora of news books out this year written by Haitian authors to choose from. The best way to jump in feet first is with Haiti Noir edited by Edwidge Danticat.
Authors and publishers are taking up the mantle of doing well by doing good. Rebecca Skloot and her foundation for the Lacks family benefitting from book sales is a superb example. In Haiti Noir a publisher’s note informs readers that, “a portion of the profits will be donated to the Lambi Fund of Haiti, a nonprofit organization working toward economic democracy, and alternative sustainable development in Haiti.” As if one needs a reason beyond outstanding fiction writing to indulge in this superb anthology.
"Even before the earthquake, life was not easy in Haiti. There was always the risk of dying from hunger, an infectious disease, a natural disaster, or a crime. But there was also hope, laughter and boundless creativity," writes Danticat.
A series of readings and appearances is scheduled now through May 13, 2011, for details please visit the publisher’s website. Authors included in the Haiti Noir anthology will accompany Ms. Danticat to locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Baltimore, MD. http://akashicbooks.com/haitinoireven...
Each story is fresh and heart wrenching whether for the lost people, lost beauty or lost time. Danticat has orchestrated an outstanding selection of voices that reach into every nook and cranny of life in Haiti.
18 new stories, including one by Danticat and two by non-Haitians, Madison Smartt Bell and Mark Kurlansky, bring the sounds, aromas, colors, and landscape of Haiti to life. The Rainbow's End by M.J. Fievre is a father-daughter story that transcends the island's borders to resonate with fathers and daughters everywhere. The story is Haiti-specific in the rhythm and syncopation of the words including the oft-repeated "Because Ben Knows Where I live."
Gary Victor's The Finger shocks and surprises in a creepy crawly way but leaves readers Googling him and the 17 other authors craving more work to read by these sensational voices. Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars pays homage to the magical realism of Isabel Allende. Mars has a superb voice and her lyricism gallops without stumbling from word one.
Izzy Goldstein is the protagonist in Mark Kurlansky's The Leopard of Ti Morne and possesses a unique and funny voice and spirit. Kurlansky puts the reader smack dab in the middle of Goldstein's Miami Beach apartment with his lush and intimate description.
In an email conversation with Madison Smartt Bell about his story, Twenty Dollars, Bell said. “I started going to Haiti in 1995, once or twice a year, to research my books and then because I got to love it.”
This is not the first time Bell has written about Haiti and when asked about his fascination with the island the author sums it up with a declaration by his character and alter ego in Twenty Dollars, Charlie Chapo. “Haiti is a place where magical thinking actually works.”
Born in Haiti in 1969, Edwidge Danticat moved to the United States at the age of twelve. Create Dangerously, Danticat’s new memoir just out from Princeton University Press, is a collection of essays exploring the responsibility of immigrant artists “to bear witness when their countries of origin are suffering from violence, oppression, poverty, and tragedy.”
Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah Book Club selection, Krik? Krak!, a National Book Award finalist. Brother, I'm Dying, her memoir, was a 2007 finalist for the National Book Award and a 2008 winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award. In 2009 Danticat was awarded the prestigious grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She lives in the Little Haiti district of Miami with her husband and daughter.
Akashic Books launched the Noir Series in 2004 with its award-winning best seller Brooklyn Noir. The anthologies include all new stories, each set within a distinct neighborhood or location within the title city. Haiti Noir is the 36th book in this series.
Haiti Noir
Edited by Edwidge Danticat
Akashic Books
Hardcover ISBN# 9781617750137
Trade Paperback ISBN# 9781936070657
Cover Photo: Steve Lindridge/istockphoto.com
Cover Design: Jon Resh/Undaunted
Authors and publishers are taking up the mantle of doing well by doing good. Rebecca Skloot and her foundation for the Lacks family benefitting from book sales is a superb example. In Haiti Noir a publisher’s note informs readers that, “a portion of the profits will be donated to the Lambi Fund of Haiti, a nonprofit organization working toward economic democracy, and alternative sustainable development in Haiti.” As if one needs a reason beyond outstanding fiction writing to indulge in this superb anthology.
"Even before the earthquake, life was not easy in Haiti. There was always the risk of dying from hunger, an infectious disease, a natural disaster, or a crime. But there was also hope, laughter and boundless creativity," writes Danticat.
A series of readings and appearances is scheduled now through May 13, 2011, for details please visit the publisher’s website. Authors included in the Haiti Noir anthology will accompany Ms. Danticat to locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Baltimore, MD. http://akashicbooks.com/haitinoireven...
Each story is fresh and heart wrenching whether for the lost people, lost beauty or lost time. Danticat has orchestrated an outstanding selection of voices that reach into every nook and cranny of life in Haiti.
18 new stories, including one by Danticat and two by non-Haitians, Madison Smartt Bell and Mark Kurlansky, bring the sounds, aromas, colors, and landscape of Haiti to life. The Rainbow's End by M.J. Fievre is a father-daughter story that transcends the island's borders to resonate with fathers and daughters everywhere. The story is Haiti-specific in the rhythm and syncopation of the words including the oft-repeated "Because Ben Knows Where I live."
Gary Victor's The Finger shocks and surprises in a creepy crawly way but leaves readers Googling him and the 17 other authors craving more work to read by these sensational voices. Paradise Inn by Kettly Mars pays homage to the magical realism of Isabel Allende. Mars has a superb voice and her lyricism gallops without stumbling from word one.
Izzy Goldstein is the protagonist in Mark Kurlansky's The Leopard of Ti Morne and possesses a unique and funny voice and spirit. Kurlansky puts the reader smack dab in the middle of Goldstein's Miami Beach apartment with his lush and intimate description.
In an email conversation with Madison Smartt Bell about his story, Twenty Dollars, Bell said. “I started going to Haiti in 1995, once or twice a year, to research my books and then because I got to love it.”
This is not the first time Bell has written about Haiti and when asked about his fascination with the island the author sums it up with a declaration by his character and alter ego in Twenty Dollars, Charlie Chapo. “Haiti is a place where magical thinking actually works.”
Born in Haiti in 1969, Edwidge Danticat moved to the United States at the age of twelve. Create Dangerously, Danticat’s new memoir just out from Princeton University Press, is a collection of essays exploring the responsibility of immigrant artists “to bear witness when their countries of origin are suffering from violence, oppression, poverty, and tragedy.”
Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah Book Club selection, Krik? Krak!, a National Book Award finalist. Brother, I'm Dying, her memoir, was a 2007 finalist for the National Book Award and a 2008 winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award. In 2009 Danticat was awarded the prestigious grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She lives in the Little Haiti district of Miami with her husband and daughter.
Akashic Books launched the Noir Series in 2004 with its award-winning best seller Brooklyn Noir. The anthologies include all new stories, each set within a distinct neighborhood or location within the title city. Haiti Noir is the 36th book in this series.
Haiti Noir
Edited by Edwidge Danticat
Akashic Books
Hardcover ISBN# 9781617750137
Trade Paperback ISBN# 9781936070657
Cover Photo: Steve Lindridge/istockphoto.com
Cover Design: Jon Resh/Undaunted
Want to read
July 29, 2015"A wide-ranging collection from the beloved but besieged Caribbean island. […] The 36th entry in Akashic's Noir series (which ranges from Bronx to Delhi to Twin Cities) is beautifully edited, with a spectrum of voices."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Danticat has succeeded in assembling a group portrait of Haitian culture and resilience that is cause for celebration."
--Publishers Weekly
"A solid contribution to the [noir] series, especially for its showcasing of a setting not commonly portrayed in crime fiction."
--Booklist
“Who can ever judge how important Danticat has been to Americans’ understanding and re-evaluating Haiti’s position and role in the hemisphere? Not just as a novelist and essayist in her own right, but as editor and guiding force behind this collection of short stories and the re-publication and English translation of the Chauvet triptych, the Haitian-born Danticat has brought her country’s literature back into the world of English-speakers. Filled with delights and surprises, Haiti Noir, taken as a whole, provides a profound portrait of the country, from its crises to its triumphs, from the tiny bouks of the countryside to the shanties of the sprawling bidonvilles. Danticat herself has a lovely story in the collection, and permits two distinguished foreign writers on Haiti, Madison Smartt Bell and Mark Kurlansky, to slide in there among all the brilliant Haitians.”
--Daily Beast
Includes brand-new stories by: Edwidge Danticat, Rodney Saint-Eloi, Madison Smartt Bell, Gary Victor, M.J. Fièvre, Marvin Victor, Yanick Lahens, Louis-Philipe Dalembert, Kettly Mars, Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel, Evelyne Trouillot, Katia Ulysse, Ibi Aanu Zoboi, Nadine Pinede, and others.
Haiti has a tragic history and continues to be one of the most destitute places on the planet, especially in the aftermath of the earthquake. Here, however, Edwidge Danticat reveals that even while the subject matter remains dark, the caliber of Haitian writing is of the highest order.
**
October 14, 2023
Dark tales from Haïti: excellent selection of stories.
June 12, 2015
Amazing collection of stories linked by location and also by theme. Haiti Noir collects stories that touch on some expected and unexpected subjects in and around Haiti. The extreme poverty that some face is a common thread, as is the constant political upheaval; I found myself researching Haiti, as it is part of the world I previously knew little about. Voodou plays a part in several stories, sometimes in very subtle ways.
Edited by Edwidge Danticat, it was her story, "Claire of the Sea Light" that earns this collection its fifth star. It takes a fair bit for a story to catch me off guard and to resonate but I reacted emotionally and physically to the ending. My heart ached for days after reading it; that story will be etched in my mind for many, many years.
Several of the stories left me with a lingering sense of sadness, feeling keenly aware of my own privileges; they made me think about nationality, race, class, and more. I thought about childcare and eldercare; about doing what's right versus what is necessary for survival. It took me a long time to work through this book because I so often felt the need to reflect on each story -- on the truth of those characters.
In short, truly a remarkable collection and I will definitely seek others in the city noir series.
Edited by Edwidge Danticat, it was her story, "Claire of the Sea Light" that earns this collection its fifth star. It takes a fair bit for a story to catch me off guard and to resonate but I reacted emotionally and physically to the ending. My heart ached for days after reading it; that story will be etched in my mind for many, many years.
Several of the stories left me with a lingering sense of sadness, feeling keenly aware of my own privileges; they made me think about nationality, race, class, and more. I thought about childcare and eldercare; about doing what's right versus what is necessary for survival. It took me a long time to work through this book because I so often felt the need to reflect on each story -- on the truth of those characters.
In short, truly a remarkable collection and I will definitely seek others in the city noir series.
June 2, 2012
I read this book with a collection of alumni from my undergraduate university. This is a great book for discussion and for delving into the culture of Noir literature and Haiti. The collection of stories is well balanced. Most were written before the earthquake shook Haiti, but three stories are included on these more recent events (one in the beginning of the book, one near the middle, and one near the end. Good balance!) There are also two stories by authors not of Haitian descent. Many different avenues of research are possible from the different aspects of history, culture, and religion referenced throughout. Secondly, many different opinions are sparked by the darkness in the stories, making for great conversation starters.
Overall the stories are dark and lyrical, most pull you in with beautifully crafted pose and twisted tales. The last story is a definitive descent into madness and the apocalypse, the words of delirium are beautifully paced and draw you in. I really love this collection!
Highly recommended. There's just too much to comment on in here to fit in one little review!
Overall the stories are dark and lyrical, most pull you in with beautifully crafted pose and twisted tales. The last story is a definitive descent into madness and the apocalypse, the words of delirium are beautifully paced and draw you in. I really love this collection!
Highly recommended. There's just too much to comment on in here to fit in one little review!
March 4, 2011
I really feel like the stronger pieces were at the beginning of the collection. With a lot of the ones at the end, I was left thinking "what was the point of that?". I did not enjoy the David Ball translations at all. They were all awkward and choppy. Large's piece seems to have been written in English originally, with mixed results. A lot of the pieces didn't really seem like Noir to me, but I'm no expert on the genre.
My favorites: Danticat's piece --very powerful and the end just sneaks up on you. "The Harem", "Odette" by Patrick Sylvain did make me cry although I didn't love it. I enjoyed the pieces by Mars and Trouillot as well. Some of the other stories were well written, but I couldn't see how they qualified as noir and it bugs me when essential elements of the short story structure are missing, although that's just the teacher in me talking. I'll try to shut her up.
My favorites: Danticat's piece --very powerful and the end just sneaks up on you. "The Harem", "Odette" by Patrick Sylvain did make me cry although I didn't love it. I enjoyed the pieces by Mars and Trouillot as well. Some of the other stories were well written, but I couldn't see how they qualified as noir and it bugs me when essential elements of the short story structure are missing, although that's just the teacher in me talking. I'll try to shut her up.
February 11, 2011
This book is part of a series of 'noir' books which focus on greed, love, lust, murder, and other traditional noir themes. Other books in the series have featured locations such as the Twin Cities, Brooklyn, and Dublin. Haiti Noir is a collection of stories from 18 authors who either live in Haiti or have connections to the country. The noir stories of Haiti deal with those criminals who take advantage of citizens living in poverty or coping with natural disasters. Sometimes the wide-eyed and innocent, who are looking for a life larger than what they think they homeland can provide pay the biggest price. But don't worry in some of the stories the criminals get their just desserts and morality is served up via caged leopards, ghosts, or Vodou lwas.
November 1, 2014
This collection of short stories was not something I would normally have chosen to read, but it surprised me with the diversity and hidden depths of the tales. The earthquake of 2010 looms large over the collection and while not all of the stories deal with it directly (only three in the anthology do), its effect on the country cannot be underestimated. These grimy, dark tales describe people who have carved out niches for themselves in a country that is often seen only for its corruption, poverty and social problems. What they also show is the strength and tenacity of their characters to overcome the difficult circumstances around them, and the love, pride and appreciation for the unique history and beauty of their country. Although not all of them manage to survive...
October 25, 2013
It's begins like ...a sunny day, in a beautiful place. But, then you notice a shack, you see the squalor. A man sitting out front, smiles at you. But his smile has no warmth and his eyes are predatory. He asks for some spare change, his lips smiling, his eyes watching. You nervously reach for your wallet, his smile widens. You look for a couple of dollar bills among the twenties. Then you feel a curious burning, then pain, like a switchblade knife, in the gut. You fall, you're bleeding, you look up, he's holding your wallet, still smiling, counting twenties ...it ends like that.
Kinda like, the nick of a knife, like warm blood, like a bright light ...fading away.
Yeah, like that, you feel the pain.
Kinda like, the nick of a knife, like warm blood, like a bright light ...fading away.
Yeah, like that, you feel the pain.
September 23, 2021
TW: Rape, sexual assault, disturbing imagery
This collection of stories transports us into the mind and heart of Haiti, exploring its society through vastly different narratives. All of these stories are haunting to various degrees and if you're Haitian/of the diaspora, they will tug at your soul one way or the other. While I may not have related personally to many of the characters, I felt a connection to them by proxy of sharing an ethnic identity. The editor, Edwidge Danticat, did what she set out to do, which was to "create a nuanced and complex view of Haiti, and many of its neighbors and people."
My favorite stories:
Odette -4/5 stars
Rainbow's End - 5/5
Which One? - 5/5
The Harem - 4/5
Rosanna - 5/5
This collection of stories transports us into the mind and heart of Haiti, exploring its society through vastly different narratives. All of these stories are haunting to various degrees and if you're Haitian/of the diaspora, they will tug at your soul one way or the other. While I may not have related personally to many of the characters, I felt a connection to them by proxy of sharing an ethnic identity. The editor, Edwidge Danticat, did what she set out to do, which was to "create a nuanced and complex view of Haiti, and many of its neighbors and people."
My favorite stories:
Odette -4/5 stars
Rainbow's End - 5/5
Which One? - 5/5
The Harem - 4/5
Rosanna - 5/5
August 9, 2016
This one expands the premise from the other Akashic Books Noir Series by telling stories of everyday life and of the occult alongside the series' traditional crime stories. They have an interesting justification for doing it, too: apparently during the Haitian Revolution (and possibly still today, I wasn't clear on that) the word Noir came to mean any Haitian citizen regardless of skin colour, while Blanc came to be a term for a foreigner.
The anthology is bookended with stories about the devastating earthquake that happened in 2010, as the book was being written. Probably my favourite in the Noir Series so far.
The anthology is bookended with stories about the devastating earthquake that happened in 2010, as the book was being written. Probably my favourite in the Noir Series so far.
August 22, 2015
I don't often read noir, and this was an interesting foray into the genre. It's a book of short stories written by (primarily) Haitians, set (primarily) in Haiti. I'm sure there was a lot more going on in these stories that I didn't pick up on, as they made significant use of local language and customs. It's mostly stories by POC authors, and has all sorts of things from jealous parents to manipulated humanitarians to drug violence. But all of it has a lot of pain and suffering, much of it pointless; I get the impression this was meant to reflect some of the pointlessness felt by grinding local problems.
March 26, 2014
If you like stories about tragedy, death, abuse, crime, drugs, brutality and loss, you'll LOVE Haiti Noir!!
Many of these colorfully crafted short stories reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his use of magical realism, albeit in a darker, heavier way. Good thing I already booked my trip to Haiti before I finished this collection, though, because it definitely presents the poverty, brokenness, and extraordinary pain and violence in this country. Only one of these stories ends "well," and was a reality check for me as to the lack of safety and security there. That said, I'm still excited to go volunteer for a week and meet some Haitians for myself.
Many of these colorfully crafted short stories reminded me of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his use of magical realism, albeit in a darker, heavier way. Good thing I already booked my trip to Haiti before I finished this collection, though, because it definitely presents the poverty, brokenness, and extraordinary pain and violence in this country. Only one of these stories ends "well," and was a reality check for me as to the lack of safety and security there. That said, I'm still excited to go volunteer for a week and meet some Haitians for myself.
January 6, 2011
This is not traditional noir, but rather stories of Haiti, which are dark. All but 2 of the authors are Haitian or Haitian American. The 2 non-Haitians are Mark Kurlansky who worked for 8 years in the Caribbean, writing about Haiti, and Madison Smartt Bell, who has written a trilogy about the Haitian revolution. A number of the Haitian authors wrote in Kreyol and these have been translated. There is an authenticity about this book that I believe is due to Danticat's meticulous job as editor. Three of the stories deal with the 2010 earthquake.
Read
February 2, 2014Haiti Noir, Edited by Edwidge Danitcat, Narrators include: Robin Miles, Peter Jay Fernandez, Rachel Leslie, Produced by recorded Books, Downloaded from audible.com.
Award-winning author Edwidge Danticat edits this collection of stories that puts a noir twist on the Haitian experience. From kidnappings gone wrong to
deadly sibling rivalries, Haiti Noir features some of the Caribbean nation's leading voices, including Gary Victor, Evelyne Trouillot, Kettly Mars, and
Patrick Sylvain.
Award-winning author Edwidge Danticat edits this collection of stories that puts a noir twist on the Haitian experience. From kidnappings gone wrong to
deadly sibling rivalries, Haiti Noir features some of the Caribbean nation's leading voices, including Gary Victor, Evelyne Trouillot, Kettly Mars, and
Patrick Sylvain.
December 27, 2011
Really uneven collection, a quality I might attribute to:
1. Writers underachieving or overreaching in their reinterpretation of noir;
2. Literal (and literal-minded) translation.
I loved a few of the stories and hated a few more, but plan on seeking out more from each contributor regardless. Trouble is, many of them have published their best work in francophone literary journals, likely hard to come by via public library here.
1. Writers underachieving or overreaching in their reinterpretation of noir;
2. Literal (and literal-minded) translation.
I loved a few of the stories and hated a few more, but plan on seeking out more from each contributor regardless. Trouble is, many of them have published their best work in francophone literary journals, likely hard to come by via public library here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews