Edwidge Danticat's 'Breath, Eyes, Memory' tells the story of Sophie, who journeys from Haiti to New York to reunite with her mother. The novel delves into themes of identity, trauma, and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. Sophie grapples with the cultural practices of her homeland and the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Her journey uncovers a hidden family history and forces her to confront deeply rooted secrets. Through Sophie's experiences, Danticat explores the resilience and strength required to overcome personal and cultural wounds.
'The Farming of Bones' by Edwidge Danticat vividly depicts the horrific Parsley Massacre of 1937, when thousands of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic were murdered under the orders of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The story is told through the eyes of Amabelle, a young Haitian woman, and explores themes of displacement, memory, and the brutal consequences of prejudice and political violence. Amabelle's personal journey of love and loss is intertwined with the larger historical tragedy, illustrating the human cost of intolerance. Danticat's powerful narrative captures the resilience and dignity of those who suffered, while also highlighting the enduring scars of this forgotten act of genocide.
White Teeth is Zadie Smith's debut novel, published in 2000. The book focuses on the later lives of two wartime friends—the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and the Englishman Archie Jones—and their families in London. It spans over 50 years, detailing the trials and tribulations of their families and exploring Britain's relationship with immigrants from the British Commonwealth. The novel addresses themes of identity, race, and the complexities of multiculturalism, and it is known for its vivid characters, humor, and strong narrative structure.
Zadie Smith's "The Fraud" is a historical novel set in 19th-century London, centered around the infamous Tichborne trial. The novel explores themes of identity, justice, and the power of belief in a captivating narrative. Smith masterfully weaves together historical details with contemporary social commentary, creating a compelling story that resonates with modern readers. The characters are richly drawn, and their struggles with identity and belonging are both relatable and thought-provoking. The novel's exploration of populism and the manipulation of truth is particularly relevant in today's political climate. "The Fraud" is a testament to Smith's literary skill and her ability to connect historical events with contemporary issues.
On Beauty is a 2005 novel by Zadie Smith, loosely based on E.M. Forster's 'Howards End'. The story follows the lives of a mixed-race British/American family, the Belseys, and their complex relationships with another family, the Kipps. It addresses ethnic and cultural differences, the nature of beauty, and the clash between liberal and conservative academic values. The novel is set in the fictional university town of Wellington, outside Boston, and explores themes such as aesthetics, academic politics, and personal identity. It received generally favorable reviews and was shortlisted for the 2005 Man Booker Prize.
Edwidge Danticat joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Two Men Arrive in a Village,” by Zadie Smith, which was published in The New Yorker in 2016. Danticat, a MacArthur Fellow and a winner of the Vilcek Prize in Literature, has published six books of fiction, including “Breath, Eyes, Memory,” “The Farming of Bones,” “Claire of the Sea Light,” and “Everything Inside.” Her memoir “Brother, I’m Dying” won the National Book Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, among others. She has been publishing fiction and nonfiction in The New Yorker since 1999.
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The New Yorker: Fiction 
