Are you ready to fall into a world of curses, vodou, and Haitian history? Beneath a stunning cover is a cunning and clever protagonist who will have you laughing at the shenanigans, crying at her family circumstances, and grinning with delight at the adventure that Maika and Maritza Moulite bestow upon their readers. This book was a true delight to read, and one of my favourite books that dealt into cultural family relationships. I honestly felt that this book was transcultural, because I could see a lot of my own family dynamics playing out, showing that sometimes, families aren’t all that different after all. Also, if you’re a big fan of mother-daughter relationship arcs, then you’re definitely in for a touching, if albeit heart-rending story.
This story features Alaine Beauparlant, a Haitian American teenager who’s just landed herself in a heap of trouble after “The Incident”, and has been sent off to her parents homeland of Haiti in an immersion project to learn about and be more respectful of her own cultural roots. Under the careful supervision of her Tati Estelle, she’s hard at work at her aunt’s non-profit organisation, along with the help of her usually absent mother. Her mother also happens to be lying low after her own media fiasco, away from those who are threatening her reputation, while fostering a very devastating secret. Getting to experience a little office flirtation, bonding time with her absent parent, and experiencing her parents homeland for the first time are excellent perks…however, Alaine will also have to navigate her family’s world of secrets, drama, and even a curse to have a whole new understanding of her world.
I think I’ll start off by saying that despite knowing that both Maika and Maritza were involved in the creation of this book, it doesn’t read as two different voices, which was amazing. Alaine was so thoughtful and stubborn, and so very determined to prove herself in any way (even if it spells big trouble for her), that you feel connected to her from the beginning. Her relationship with her father is highlighted as a supportive, but not indulging parent due to her mother’s absence. They also tore down that barrier of parental masculinity that I feel lots of YA novels have, where the dad is this big bad man who won’t cry or emote in any way.
Along with that, the mother-daughter relationship arc was also one that was touching to read. At first, you’re angry for Alaine, because it’s palpable how badly she wants to have that relationship but understanding that her mother has made different choices. However, when you get into the meat and bones of this particular story and start viewing things from the opposite perspective, boy will this book give you all the feelings. Maika and Maritza aren’t afraid to break down those barriers and tackle the heavy subjects, setting of a new world of emotions for our dear Alaine. Much of this story centers around family relationships, but I felt that this one and Alaine’s relationship with Tati Estelle are the ones that are highlighted the most.
The cultural aspect of this book was the one I related to the most. Although I have Latin American roots, I related so much to the interconnectedness of Alaine’s family (all those cousins), as well as growing up as a girl between two worlds. On the one hand, you’re American, being born and raised in the United States, speaking English at school, and learning a different language at home, but with the fear that you also don’t quite fit in within your parents cultural sphere. It hit home for me because they were able to put into words exactly how I’ve felt growing up. I feel like many other readers, especially teen readers that might be first generation American might understand and relate to this narrative very well.
Let’s talk about that family curse for a second. Man did it grow into such an amazing plot point of the story. The story is already littered with little news articles, and Alaine’s diary entries or emails with people, but one of the most striking things to me were the diary entries in the story. They just highlight a certain mysticism about vodou, and how certain choices were made around it. I loved the background into the superstitions of the family and beliefs that were held based on the history of the family. It was so amazing to read. This also goes hand in hand with a fun and drama filled history lesson, that I think readers will have fun with.
I will say that there is a bit of a dark theme surrounding a portion of the story that might affect some readers, and those are themes of child abuse. This isn’t something within the story goes into explicit detail, but if you’re even lightly triggered by this, you might approach this story with caution. I did feel that Maika and Maritza approached this with gentle care, so there is that. There is definitely a light (emphasis on light) romance within the book that I just loved, it brought a fun aspect to this trip to Haiti.
Honestly, I could go on and on about what I loved about this book, but I’ll stop here. I can’t stress this enough, but if you can, please read this book. It’s so heartwarming, and touches on some serious parental relationship themes. The story is fun and carefree and also very serious at the same time. I felt that despite some of the delicate topics, they were handled with grace and careful hands that shaped this novel into something truly wonderful to behold. I’m rating this book a 10/10, and I can’t wait to see what these two sisters come out with next.
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of September 3rd.
Will you be picking up Dear Haiti, Love Alaine? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, and told in epistolary style through letters, articles, emails, and diary entries, this exceptional debut novel captures a sparkling new voice and irrepressible heroine in a celebration of storytelling sure to thrill fans of Nicola Yoon, Ibi Zoboi and Jenna Evans Welch!
When a school presentation goes very wrong, Alaine Beauparlant finds herself suspended, shipped off to Haiti and writing the report of a lifetime…
You might ask the obvious question: What do I, a seventeen-year-old Haitian American from Miami with way too little life experience, have to say about anything?
Actually, a lot.
Thanks to “the incident” (don’t ask), I’m spending the next two months doing what my school is calling a “spring volunteer immersion project.” It’s definitely no vacation. I’m toiling away under the ever-watchful eyes of Tati Estelle at her new nonprofit. And my lean-in queen of a mother is even here to make sure I do things right. Or she might just be lying low to dodge the media sharks after a much more public incident of her own…and to hide a rather devastating secret.
All things considered, there are some pretty nice perks…like flirting with Tati’s distractingly cute intern, getting actual face time with my mom and experiencing Haiti for the first time. I’m even exploring my family’s history—which happens to be loaded with betrayals, superstitions and possibly even a family curse.
You know, typical drama. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.
