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“My country […] is one of uncertainty. 
When I say ‘my country’ to some Haitians, 
they think of the United States. 
When I say ‘my country’ to
some Americans, they think of Haiti.”
(from The Butterfly’s Way
 
Last week John of The Book Mine Set reviewed this story.  He explained, that with all the recent news of Haiti he wanted to read a Haitian writer.  At the time, he only knew of a poet.  he found this writer, Edwidge Danicat and his short story, Ghosts.
Of course, I had to check out this story for myself. 
Pascal and his parents lived in Bel Air, a mid-level slum.  Bel Air was a peasant community when they moved there.  They were to live there temporarily while Pascal and his brother went to primary school. However, they stayed and raised pigeons and opened a restaurant. They mostly stayed in the hopes that one day their children could leave the country some day and have a better life.  Pascal’s older brother already fulfilled that dream, he moved to Canada.
Most of their diners of the restaurant were now gang members, also known as ghosts. Pascal served them and eavesdropped on their conversation.  He worked part time for a local radio station as a reporter and had an idea for a new radio show that he would host.  The show would be called, “Ghosts” and be a kind of reality show with what gang members are really like, what makes them cry, etc.
He brought the idea to the head of the radio station but was told that his idea would never work.  Then they stole his idea and did a show similar to what he proposed.  The gang members encourage Pascal to retaliate.  He didn’t, so the head of the gang decided they would do it for him. 
I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to risk spoilers.
Edwidge Danicat currently live in the United States.  The Haitian people have had to live through many heart aches and tragedies.  In Ghosts, she explores the problem of gangs.  She seems to understand the life in Bel Air well.  She wrote this before the devastating earthquake and it raises the issue has a lot more than needs fixing than meets the eye.  Yet she writes with a kind of “respect” for her people.  This is an excellent story and I highly recommend it!

If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!

 
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