America

"Pedro Navaja" got us hooked on this number from West Side Story. Although never fans of this musical or musical theater in general, this is a clever (and problematic) song on Puerto Rican migration in the US. The gendered difference in perceptions of their experience in New York is interesting in itself. 

Why Must A Black Writer Write About Sex?

"Look at Haitian painting and you'll understand. The landscapes all look like the Garden of Eden. The fruit is too perfect. The fish are too big. The children's smiles are too wide. A dream country concocted to replace the real one."

Laferrière's unconventional novel draws from his own life to reflect on the meaning of success, race, gender, and what it means to be a black writer. Inspired by the success of his debut novel, Laferrière's fictionalized version of himself compiles a list of observations, travel experiences, conversations, and humorous commentary on the aforementioned themes, often critical of black cultural nationalism or the pigeon-holing of black writers (the hilarious dialogues with Spike Lee and Ice Cube are two great example). Unfortunately, Haiti is not an important part of the story, although the author does allude to Haiti for comedic effect and the arts, as well as references to Vodou, African history and religion. 

Given the lack of a plot and the very unusual format of this not quite novel written as a novel, some may not find this work as moving or enthralling as some of Laferrière's other work. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one just as much as Ishmael Reed's best satirical novels and essays. Indeed, both writers tend not to approach issues of race, class, and gender from a dogmatic perspective, and exploit race and sexuality for hilarious commentary.