This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Brother, I'm Dying

   

   "Brother, I'm Dying" is a memoir that explores the author's life growing up in Haiti, her immigration to the United States, and the lives of her father and uncle. The story delves into her father's struggle with illness in America, her uncle's experience as a pastor in Haiti during political turmoil, and his subsequent death in U.S. immigration custody. The book serves as a poignant exploration of family, immigration, love, and loss.

   The 7105th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. The Dew Breaker

   

   The book revolves around a collection of interconnected stories that explore the lives of various Haitian individuals, both in Haiti and in the Haitian-American community in the United States. Central to these stories is a character known as "the Dew Breaker," a former Haitian torturer who has reinvented himself as a barber in Brooklyn, concealing his dark past from his family and those around him. Each narrative thread delves into themes of memory, guilt, identity, and the long shadows cast by personal and political traumas, revealing the complex interplay between victims and victimizers and the challenging path toward redemption.

   The 8025th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

3. 3. The Farming of Bones

   

   "The Farming of Bones" is a historical fiction novel that revolves around the 1937 massacre of Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic. The story is told through the eyes of a young Haitian woman working as a servant for a wealthy Dominican family. As political tensions rise, the protagonist and her fellow Haitians face increasing hostility and violence, culminating in a mass slaughter. The novel explores themes of identity, love, loss, and the human capacity for cruelty and resilience.

   The 8350th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

4. 4. Breath, Eyes, Memory

   

   The novel is a poignant story of a young Haitian girl's journey from her homeland to New York City. She is sent to live with her mother, whom she barely knows, at the age of twelve. The narrative explores the protagonist's struggle to understand her Haitian identity, her mother's traumatic past, and the cultural expectations placed upon her as a woman. It delves into themes of maternal relationships, female identity, sexual trauma, and the diasporic experience, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist's struggle to reconcile her past with her present.

   The 14983rd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
5. 5. Everything Inside

   Stories

   

   "Everything Inside: Stories" is a collection of eight short stories, each exploring the lives of various characters from the Haitian diaspora. The narratives delve into themes of love, loss, family, and community, often set against the backdrop of political unrest or natural disasters. The stories illuminate the complexities of human relationships, the struggle of immigrants, and the enduring spirit of the Haitian people.

   The 14983rd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

6. 6. Krik? Krak!

   

   This book is a collection of nine short stories that depict the lives of Haitians and Haitian Americans who are grappling with issues of identity, homeland, love, and family. The stories are connected through shared themes and recurring symbols, creating a powerful narrative about the Haitian experience. The book explores the brutal history of Haiti, the challenging reality of the present, and the uncertain future, providing a profound and poignant look at the resilience and strength of the Haitian people.

   The 17114th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

7. 7. Claire Of The Sea Light

   

   In the evocative novel set in a small seaside town in Haiti, the story revolves around a young girl named Claire, who disappears on her seventh birthday just as her father makes the heart-wrenching decision to give her a better life by entrusting her to a local shopkeeper. The narrative weaves through the perspectives of various townspeople, each connected to Claire and her father in intricate ways, revealing secrets, desires, and the intertwined fates within the community. The novel beautifully captures the complex tapestry of human relationships and the haunting pull of one's origins.

   The 17114th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

8. 8. We’re Alone

   Essays

   

   The 17114th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon