The Smart Set Read discussion

What is your favorite chapter so far and why?

So far the first chapter has still struck me as my favourite. This is mostly due to how it was written extremely well and immediately puts me into the authors perspective. Her method of writing was put to full use in order to have the reader be put in a trance almost immediately after beginning to read.

My favorite chapter of "Create Dangerously" is the first one. I really enjoyed the imagery created in the passages in this chapter, as the author did a great job of using descriptive language to bring the words alive. When speaking about the execution of Marcel Numa and Louis Drouin, I felt like I was in the town watching it happen. A large sense of imagery is something I look for in a book.

The first chapter was my favorite as well. The history and background was very interesting and immersive. The chapter was written very well; i.e. easy to read and compelling.

My favorite chapter of Create Dangerously is chapter 8, because it opens the readers eyes to a point of view that is often overlooked. The chapter is opened with a passage from the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and weaves the message of the passage throughout the chapter. Dunticat also talks about a country within a country that only immigrants can see, and my grandparents were immigrants so I compare stories that they have told me to the ones that Dunticat tells.

My favorite chapter of "Create Dangerously" is the first chapter. The detail in the scene of the execution hooks the reader quickly and the comparison between literary works and real life experiences is very interesting. It is a good introduction to the overall feel of the book.

My favorite chapter of "Create Dangerously" is the first chapter because of how author of the book, Edwidge Danticat introduced the story and kept my interest as I kept reading. She started the story by mentioning about how 2 Haitian men, named Marcel Numa and Louis Drouin were executed by the dictator of Haiti at that time named Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, in front of everyone. That story made me want to continue reading and want to know more about the dictator and the lives of the individuals, and if it had any impact on the author watching such a horrific event.

Chapter four has been my favorite thus far because I think the title fits perfectly with the content of the chapter. She starts out the chapter with a memory from her childhood. It is amazing how detailed and real the author is when she incorporates her memories including her experiences of discrimination as she moved from Haiti to the states.

I enjoyed the first chapter because it puts literature in perspective. I am someone who used to take reading and writing for granted. It seems like such a basic thing to be able to read and write whatever you like. But to hear that innocent people had lost their lives because of writing made a big impact on me and the way I look at literature. She even begins the chapter by recalling an event where two Haitian men were executed by the dictator at the time as everyone watched. The first chapter is an eye opener for those looking for a new perspective on the power reading and writing have in our world.

My favorite chapter so far is Chapter 3. The chapter covers the death of famous journalist Jean Domnique as well as the difficulties that Jean's wife, Michele, faced after his death. My favorite part of the chapter is when Danticat describes an assassination attempt on Michele that resulted in the death of Maxime Seide, one of Michele's young bodyguards. It's is very gripping and emphasizes how horrible things have gotten for Michele. Even more so when you consider all she was trying to do was uphold justice and honor her Husband.

Chapter 3 deals with current problems of combating journalistic attacks. This may not be evident at first, but the chapter resistibly calls upon the journey of an exiled writer, John Dominique, creating the focus on the writers life as celebrated journalist; and an exiled author at one time. The chapter has brought about in some sense the mis interpretation of words as well. In a world where un fit actions have been bestowed onto authors, I see it only fitting that this chapter illuminates our present day situation where words are more important than ever.

My favorite chapter of this book so far is chapter 4. At the beginning, she talks about the pains of being a foreigner as a child in school. It resonated with me immediately because one of my favorite poems that I read in middle school was about a young Chinese immigrant's agony over being teased about his eyes. She then goes into self-exploration over her identity as a Haitian, and I myself have been comparing myself to my heritage as of late. Overall the chapter didn't have as strong of a hook as executions, but it felt more personal to me. In addition to all of this, I knew nothing about the U.S. occupation of Haiti in the 1800's, which interests me greatly.

In the book "Create Dangerously" I've truly enjoyed chapter 5 the most among-st the material I've gone through so far. The intense imagery of the beating and mutilation of the Haitian women during the coup in Haiti grasped me in away I couldn't stop reading yet was disgusted and horrified with what I was reading. Though I was not too happy with the content of the chapter due to its dark nature, but I'm unable to remember a time I was so involved and caught up in a story of a book, which is why Its my favorite chapter thus far.

My favorite chapter of Create Dangerously was definitely the first one. The way literature and writing was described was captivating and learning how people lost their lives over it kept me very interested. The graphic way the book is introduced immediately grabbed my attention and kept it throughout the whole book.

Chapter 2 has to be my favorite out of all that I have read so far. The story reminded me of my own past with my family being in another place. Although they are not as isolated as Danticat's village was; I found myself missing the life I had back in Vietnam. Especially when Tante Ilyana passed away it reminded me when my cousins and other family got into accidents and horrible murders. I had found out days later because even speaking on the phone costed money in phone cards. I also found that the intertwining of her visit to Tante Ilyana and her reflections to her first book played out very well. Danticat made perfect sense in explaining her thoughts and reasonings. It made the others who judged the contents of her book and calling her a "liar" completely unjustified. Everyone is different and their are groups of people possibly in Haiti who have experienced the "tests". She explains fiction and experiences as special to your own.