As a kind of window into a 3rd world country I thought it worthwhile. Although it lacked the sweep of a statistical survey, and lacked the in-depth account of the worst victims of both earthquake and poverty (i.e, there was plenty of suffering in that country long before the earthquake). I picked the book out by accident, wanting a library book in Spanish by a known author; this was the only one on the shelf by Alvarez (who I hadn't read before). The narrative of her two trips into Haiti (for the wedding, and the other following the quake), were somewhat of an ordeal for her, her husband and small entourage, and the nature of the ordeal is well communicated (although she probably would not describe it as an ordeal, but rather as both opportunity and obligation). Not sure I am left with any enduring value - other than as a useful exercise in reading Spanish - and perhaps greater compassion for the Haitian people (sadly, not enough so for me to ever want to see such misery in person).She writes well and I will - in future - read one of her better known novels (in either Spanish or English). I enjoyed this book, but I don't think I was the intended audience, in some ways. The author's first description of the journey from the DR to Haiti was both very familiar and rather surprising. I have taken trips like that many times in my career in development, so what she described was very familiar to me. I was, however, surprised at her surprise at what it was like to drive through a country as poor as Haiti. I guess I forget that most people haven't done that before. However, the book overall is written with humor, grace, and love and for that I enjoyed it.
Do You like book A Wedding In Haiti (2012)?
Didn't know Alvarez had a new book out. I've enjoyed her other books including children's books.
—maui
An interesting autobiographcal account of Dominican/Haitian cultures. Fairly straightforward.
—gre0015
