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LIGHT BENEATH ASHES

by armed burglars during the night, prompting his family to frequently sleep at their church to avoid zenglendos (armed criminals). While he deeply valued Haiti’s rich culture, even having competitions with his friends to see who could read Haitian novels the fastest, he also had family members whom he visited in the United States, where he developed an affinity for the U.S., especially its cartoons and Wendy’s spicy chicken nuggets. Ultimately, he migrated to the U.S., devoting his efforts to education and eventually receiving a Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Florida. Apart from academic research, Anglade spent much of his postgraduate life engaging with Haitian politics, public policy, and economic development. The memoir certainly offers an inspirational story of overcoming obstacles to obtain one’s dreams, but what makes this work stand out is Anglade’s grasp of Haitian history\u003B he interweaves his personal story into the larger narrative of the Caribbean nation. For example, the zenglendos that terrorized his family, he convincingly writes, weren’t just random criminals or a “local menace,” but were intricately tied to the political and economic instability that followed the overthrow of President Jean\u002DBertrand Aristide in 1991. He similarly connects his immigration story to the wider history of the African diaspora. The book also includes ample commentary on contemporary Haitian politics and the effects of climate change on the country. While this political analysis lacks formal citations, Anglade has a learned understanding of the various forces at play in 21st\u002Dcentury Haiti and is particularly critical of the nation’s bureaucrats for “riding in bullet proof cars and drawing comfortable salaries” amid rising crime rates and economic decline."

Book Details

Publisher:Aristide in
Published:1991-01-01
Pages:1256
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9798218759

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This powerful young adult novel explores the raw emotional landscape of grief and survival as a teenage girl navigates the aftermath of her family's devastating tragedy. The narrative plunges readers...

Our Review

This powerful young adult novel explores the raw emotional landscape of grief and survival as a teenage girl navigates the aftermath of her family's devastating tragedy. The narrative plunges readers into a world of profound loss, where the protagonist must confront her shattered reality and the heavy secrets that begin to surface in the wake of catastrophe. With prose that is both lyrical and unflinching, the story captures the isolating weight of trauma and the tentative search for meaning when everything seems lost. This is a deeply moving exploration of resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

What distinguishes this emotional journey is its authentic portrayal of adolescent grief, avoiding melodrama while delivering genuine emotional impact that will resonate strongly with teen readers. The novel's strength lies in its nuanced character development and the gradual, hard-won glimmers of hope that emerge from the darkness. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories about overcoming adversity and finding light after loss will be profoundly affected by this compelling narrative about the human capacity for healing.

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