I find Haiti endlessly fascinating, from its very survival to its wealth of folk art. I chose these books because they are written or edited by Haitians and give one an insider's view of this perpetually resilient nation.
René Depestre has written a delightful book, Hadriana in All My Dreams, that celebrates life in his home town of Jacmel and Haiti in general. Hadriana's "death" and zombification (the recipe is even provided) opens up the duality of life in Haiti, most notably the competition between Catholicism and Voudoun. Lyrical and sensuous, this book gives a real feel for the Haitian mindset.
Edwidge Danticat has written many books and short stories about her native land, but I'm going to focus on After the Dance. Taking place in Jacmel as well, this nonfiction book finds Danticat embracing the pagan aspects of Carnival and overcoming her fears of the orgiastic nature of the occasion.
An Aroma of Coffee is by Dany Laferriére, another giant of Haitian letters. This is not a traditional novel, more a collection of interrelated stories that evoke the feeling of the summer of a boy's tenth year. Due to illness, the narrator has to stay close to his grandmother's front porch, but that's okay since she receives people all the time anxious for her advice and strong coffee.
Dimitry Elias Leger makes his debut with God Loves Haiti. A love story set around the earthquake of 2010, the story follows three lovers and their struggle to reunite after the disaster. Moving and graceful, this book proves that good can come from devastation.
Edwidge Danticat has also edited two collections of short stories: Haiti Noir and Haiti Noir 2. While not always strictly mysteries or noir, these excellent stories give a variety of viewpoints on the nation and culture.
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