Brother, I'm Dying

Starred review from February 15, 2008
Haitian American Danticat (The Farming of Bones, American Book Award winner) was four when her parents immigrated to America, temporarily entrusting her and her brother to the care of her Haitian uncle and aunt. At age 12, Danticat left her loving extended family in poor and politically unstable Port-au-Prince to join her parents in America. The author recounts her family's story using her uncle's and father's triumphs and tragedies as a narrative fulcrum. Uncle Joseph, her "second father," was a minister who became mute after a radical laryngectomy, later dying horribly in an immigrant holding center as he awaited asylum in America. The story begins with Danticat learning on the same day that her father, a Brooklyn cabdriver, is dying of pulmonary fibrosis and that she is pregnant with her first child. With calm affection and respect, reader Robin Miles conveys the majesty of Danticat's family, which defies the sadness and loss that haunt their story. Highly recommended for public library biographical collections. [This book is a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.Ed.]Judith Robinson, Univ. at Buffalo

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

When the regime of "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his military security force, the Tonton Macoutes, force her parents to flee Haiti for America, Edwidge and her brother, Bob, are left behind and raised by her father's brother, Joseph, and his wife. They remain with the couple in Port-au-Prince for eight years, during which time her preacher uncle refuses to leave his congregation. Eventually, Joseph develops throat cancer and requires radical surgery. In rich, appealing tones narrator Robin Miles delivers Danticat's poignant memoir of the love between brothers and the tragedy that separates and ultimately unites them. Her performance is controlled and understated, thereby heightening the family's personal strength and heartfelt connections. Danticat's elegantly crafted prose and Miles's graceful reading make this a stunning listening experience. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from November 26, 2007
Dandicat's moving memoir focuses on her Uncle Joseph, who raised her in Haiti, and her father, who was reunited with her in the United States when she was 12. Robin Miles brings the two brothers to life. Portraying Dandicat's father, Mira, as soft-spoken and wise, she sagely decides not to try to imitate the mechanical voice box he uses after losing his larynx to throat cancer. The women sound much more alike, but Dandicat's mother and many aunts have relatively minor roles. The exception is Dandicat herself, the powerful narrator whom Miles portrays as a calm presence in the midst of political and familial tragedies. Miles's Creole sounds fluid and authentic, and listeners will have no trouble understanding the characters' French accents (Creole phrases are followed by translations). Miles uses the same pace throughout, but she might have given more pep to Joseph's breathtaking escape from Haiti. Miles is a perfect fit for Dandicat's books—she previously read Breath, Eyes, Memory
. She artfully immerses listeners in Dandicat's world and will leave them wanting more. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcov. (Reviews, July 16).

Starred review from September 3, 2007
Dandicat's moving memoir focuses on her Uncle Joseph, who raised her in Haiti, and her father, who was reunited with her in the United States when she was 12. Robin Miles brings the two brothers to life. Portraying Dandicat's father, Mira, as soft-spoken and wise, she sagely decides not to try to imitate the mechanical voice box he uses after losing his larynx to throat cancer. The women sound much more alike, but Dandicat's mother and many aunts have relatively minor roles. The exception is Dandicat herself, the powerful narrator whom Miles portrays as a calm presence in the midst of political and familial tragedies. Miles's Creole sounds fluid and authentic, and listeners will have no trouble understanding the characters' French accents (Creole phrases are followed by translations). Miles uses the same pace throughout, but she might have given more pep to Joseph's breathtaking escape from Haiti. Miles is a perfect fit for Dandicat's books\x97she previously read Breath, Eyes, Memory. She artfully immerses listeners in Dandicat's world and will leave them wanting more. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcov. (Reviews, July 16).