42 pages • 1 hour read
The Farming Of Bones
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Hispaniola • 1930s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat, published in 1998, is set in the Dominican Republic during the late 1930s and follows Amabelle Désir, an orphan and servant to Señora Valencia. After delivering Señora Valencia’s twin babies, Amabelle learns her lover Sebastien’s friend was killed by a car. As political tensions rise, Amabelle flees to Haiti with Yves, enduring danger and injury, only to discover they survived a massacre. The book contains depictions of violence, systemic oppression, and loss.
Melancholic
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
10,213 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Edwidge Danticat's The Farming of Bones is lauded for its lyrical prose and poignant depiction of the 1937 Haitian massacre in the Dominican Republic. Reviewers praise the emotional depth and historical insight but note its harrowing content may be overwhelming for some readers. The narrative's slow pace receives mixed feelings, with some finding it immersive and others, lingering.
Who Should Read The Farming Of Bones?
The ideal reader for Edwidge Danticat’s The Farming of Bones deeply appreciates historical fiction that explores themes of identity, resilience, and human rights. Fans of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and Toni Morrison's Beloved will find similar immersive storytelling and emotional depth.
10,213 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
Hispaniola • 1930s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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