Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
What if Bill Bryson didn't or couldn't maintain a sense of humor while writing about his travels? Then again, what if the places that Bill Bryson roamed and described were such that they made it difficult to maintain a sense of humor? You might have Ethan Casey, who is best known for his on-the-ground-with-the-common-person descriptions of Pakistan and Haiti.
In "Bearing the Bruise: A Life Graced by Haiti", Casey tells of the people and circumstances that he encountered during several trips to the western part of the island of Hispanola. Casey describes the people and their opinions, their hospitality and their hot buttons. He talks about the West's charitable efforts, where they succeed and where they fall short. And he talks about the government Haiti's, and the United States, and how the two are linked.
I found the book to provide excellent background into the people and issues of the country, from an outsider who tries to understand things from the perspective of a local. However, at over 300 pages, I sometimes found it to be a bit too in-depth ... at times, it seemed he was conducting and documenting a person-by-person census to determine whether or not the population favored the return of Aristide to the country and/or to power.
At times, the book dragged me in, forcing me to read on. Other times, Casey dealt with a subject in such minute detail that I felt I had to put the book down and find something more interesting. Still, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the country and people of Haiti.
RATING: 3 stars.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free of charge in a random draw. There was an implied request for an honest review, which you are reading now. There was also an implied request for promptness which just goes to show that you can't always get everything.
In "Bearing the Bruise: A Life Graced by Haiti", Casey tells of the people and circumstances that he encountered during several trips to the western part of the island of Hispanola. Casey describes the people and their opinions, their hospitality and their hot buttons. He talks about the West's charitable efforts, where they succeed and where they fall short. And he talks about the government Haiti's, and the United States, and how the two are linked.
I found the book to provide excellent background into the people and issues of the country, from an outsider who tries to understand things from the perspective of a local. However, at over 300 pages, I sometimes found it to be a bit too in-depth ... at times, it seemed he was conducting and documenting a person-by-person census to determine whether or not the population favored the return of Aristide to the country and/or to power.
At times, the book dragged me in, forcing me to read on. Other times, Casey dealt with a subject in such minute detail that I felt I had to put the book down and find something more interesting. Still, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the country and people of Haiti.
RATING: 3 stars.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free of charge in a random draw. There was an implied request for an honest review, which you are reading now. There was also an implied request for promptness which just goes to show that you can't always get everything.
