Ayiti

Just finished Roxane Gay's short collection, Ayiti. Some of the stories were no more than 1-3 pages, so it was a quick read. She writes eloquently about Haiti from a diaspora, in such a knowing and loving way. She clearly loves her heritage. Of course, she knows about everything that plagues Haiti, but when it comes to Haitian dignity, pride, and respect, her characters demand it. Again, like in Bad Feminist, there is humour in the tale as well, particularly in the short chapter about her father's thick Haitian accent, or the young Haitian immigrant, Gerard, who faces accusations of H.B.O. in his American school. The best 'treat' of the story collection, however, is her early form of An Untamed State lacking the depth and character background of the novel, as well as without the sordid details of Miri's rape and torture while kidnapped.