Edwidge Danticat to speak at Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn BookBeat: In 'Haiti Noir 2,' Danticat Anthologizes Haitian Lit
Edwidge Danticat, the renowned Haitian-born author who immigrated to Brooklyn at age 12, will be returning to the borough to discuss “Haiti Noir 2” (Akashic Books; Jan. 7, 2014), a compilation of the writer’s hand-picked selections from the canon of Haitian literature. The book is a follow-up to the widely acclaimed “Haiti Noir,” which earned rave reviews from The New York Times, LA Times and other publications.
Danticat’s Brooklyn appearance will take place on Jan. 16 at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, where the author will share her extensive knowledge of Haitian literature. After the reading, Danticat will sign books, which will be available for sale. A portion of the profits from “Haiti Noir 2” will be donated to FotoKonbit, a nonprofit organization created to empower Haitians to tell their own stories through photography.
While the original best-selling “Haiti Noir” included all new stories by contemporary Haitian authors, “Haiti Noir 2” compiles the classics of Haitian literature, offering readers some insight into the development of Haitian culture over the past 50 years. Danticat has drawn on her expertise as a Haitian writer to collect numerous short stories and excerpts from longer works that she believes demonstrate the power and evolution of Haitian lit.