Customer Reviews:
 Excellent story of a modern American Odyssey December 15, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This novel immediately draws the reader in. It centres on two very different characters; a white blue-collar worker, a married man with kids who wants more from life; and a young Haitian woman who, along with her young nephew, tries to escape the abject poverty and violence of her country. From opposite ends of the spectrum they both attempt to pursue the American Dream, with dramatic consequences. It's the difficulties of these two journeys that are explored by this underrated writer. The characters seem to live parallel lives, but their paths do eventually cross in a dramatic way.
I found all the characters completely believable, and was especially impressed by the depiction of Haitian life. It is a book that deals with the issues of racism, immigration, capitalism, and individual responsibility in an intelligent, non-polemical way. This is far from a preachy book, it is storytelling at it's best. I'd recommend this Book, and indeed this writer to anyone who enjoys a good read.
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