I've read a lot of Roxane Gay's writing, but this was first time I read her fiction. This is a moving collection of stories, focused on character and on place.  I knew going in that I'd like her writing style, but I was particularly impressed with the descriptions.

I unfortunately was unable to read this book before it was archived. But I look forward to grabbing a copy.

I love Roxanne Gay and this was no exception. Powerful and thought provoking. I will continue to read anything by this author.

Roxane Gay is most known for her feminist books. Even knowing something about her works, I've never had the curiosity to read them until this story collection came up.
Nowadays, the refugees' problem is an highlight of our challenges and we can't escape them. The dysfunction between the realities and the approaches from everybody, from the welcomers (and sometimes, less welcomers) to the outsiders need to be explored and analysed, otherwise we will not find bases for compromise and the obstacles will not disappear.
Starting with that in mind, I wanted to learn more about the Haitian diaspora.
I was hoping to enjoy this book in the whole, but it felt a bit disappointing.
By reading the synopsis we can perceive this is not going to be a happy book. But I do believe, with all their constraint, that not everybody is unhappy and lives in difficulty, at least more than anybody else. Of course there are communities that are developed in a bubble and live by and for themselves, even living abroad. Even so, there are others than can find the balance to live in peace and feel fulfilment in every aspects of their lives.
The majority of the stories transmit pain, incomprehension of the characters came to a determined point in life and don't show any hope.
Focusing in the writing style, Roxanne Gay speech brings fluidity and pleasure, but at times there was something missing in order to glue the narratives.
I didn't was as much impressed as wanted to my abashment. Maybe in the future Roxanne and I will meet again.

This is beautiful look at a story that is very rarely told about those who leave Haiti. This book follows a cast of colourful characters and tells their story in delicate and wonderful ways. Roxanne Gay has shown herself to be a versatile writer and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Roxane Gay is just so good at words. Her writing never fails to leave me more inspired and more knowledgeable than before, and this short work is no less powerful or beautiful.

I'm a huge fan of Roxane Gay, and this book did not leave me disappointed! I hadn't read any short fiction of hers before, and I'm so glad I did. Her prose is captivating and heartbreakingly honest. I loved the setting of Haiti and/or Haitian immigrants in the US, which lent a little bit of a magical quality to the stories. My only complaint? It was way too short. I hope she puts out another collection of short stories very soon.

I like Roxane Gay so much. I have already read Hunger and Bad Feminist, but I've heard a lot of good things about Ayiti. I recommend anything written by Roxane Gay, but I think this is especially good. What a gifted writer!

It is absolutely no surprise to anyone that my most liked (and more importantly, most consistent liked) short story collection I have read so far, is by Roxane Gay. I mean, this is my first piece of writing by her (after watching her from afar on social media) and I am already in love with her. Her narrative voice is just so strong, her talent so rich, the tone of all the stories in the collection so evocative and filled with anger and pain and longing and love. Listening to her speak on social media, it is immediately apparent as to why her debut collection was focussed on the realities of both living in Haiti, and life as an immigrant after you make the decision to leave. Ayiti proves to be an incredible insight into Haiti, a place that I admittedly know little about, but which has an inarguably complex history. A fact that almost mirrors the complex feelings that Roxane Gay has about her home country; the pull and the love that she feels towards it, as well as the fear; and the complicated relationship between her two, almost incompatible identities, with her being a lesbian from a place in which homosexuality is not accepted.
A truly powerful collection indeed.

Ayiti was a painful, poignant and gripping read about the life and struggles of the people of Haiti. It got me very interested in the politics of Haiti and I even ended up reading about the struggles between Dominican Republic (that has a better quality of life due to the support extended in building its government and society during the Spanish occupation) and Haiti (where people are still struggling for basic needs due to aftereffects of the French occupation). 

Roxanne Gay's writing is simple yet evocative, making all the unfamiliar struggles faced by her people palpable. A mix of essays, notes, poetry and stories, this book is a must-read, giving an unaware audience a true picture of Haiti to reflect upon.

I have read almost ever single one of Roxane Gay's books and she never fails to disappoint. I loved this short story collection, and read it in the matter of a day because i could not put it down. The only reason why it is not a 5 star read for me, is because I had previously read her other short story collection called Difficult Women which is one of my favorite books of all time. I did not feel as though Ayiti was quite on the same level as Difficult Women, but it was still incredible nonetheless.

Dr. Gay’s writing style is so beautiful to me and always invokes so many emotions. While I always feel strange assigning a rating to her work, I really enjoyed this one. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Roxane Gay never fails to disappoint her readers. I had read some of these stories elsewhere before so I knew what to expect. I believe her writing has progressed since these stories. Yet, it was lovely to sink into the world of Ayiti and get to know her characters and stories. I wish she would go back to writing more short stories at some point soon -- stories that include many of the themes she tackles in her nonfiction.

Please see the link for the full, more formal review published at PopMatters.

I’m giving this book a 4/5 stars. This book is a collection of short stories, all of them packed with a punch and the deep rooted culture of Haiti. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the stories, and I loved seeing Haiti as the connecting thread between them. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this one. Without wanting to give much away, I can say that the only problem I had with this book was that the stories were too short. I would highly recommend this collection of short stories, and I will definitely be picking up more books by this author in the future!

Roxane Gay is a masterful storyteller. Each tale in this book will take you on a powerful journey and you will walk away with at least one that never stops haunting your thoughts. That has certainly been the experience for me when I wonder if I would ever paralyze a lover who threatened to scorn me. If you are already a fan of her work, you'll find that there is a thread that runs through each of her books, making their impact that much more powerful. Such is the case when you read Ayiti and immerse yourself in the experience of being a complex woman.

*4.5 stars*

Ayiti was my first experience with Roxane Gay but it won't be my last. Ayiti is a beautiful work of short story fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and you won't be able to put it down. 

The stories all explore the Haitian diaspora experience and they all flow into one another, but none of the stories are particularly related in any other way. I've always struggled a great deal with short stories as it is a very hard medium to work in and absorb, but Roxane Gay handles them like a master. 

I was really and truly transfixed by most of these stories. Some were more impactful than others, but it was a surprisingly captivating mix of tales that showed me a more personal side of what it means to be Haitian. I know next to nothing about the context of these stories, but I was immediately sucked in and awed. 

I loved the mix of queer stories, family stories, and the personal take on the dichotomy of loving a country and hating that same country. I think with the current atmosphere towards immigrants and refugees, this collection of stories is particularly relevant. 

I wish some of the stories were even longer, but as they were, everything was lyrical and poetic and nearly perfect. A must read for those who appreciate just plain old excellent writing. 

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

This is one of Roxane Gay’s works that I had not heard as much spoken or written about in the book community compared to her more recent non-fiction titles - it was first published in 2011 and has recently been re-released with some additional stories. 

Ayiti is a short story collection giving different perspectives of the Haitian diaspora experience. They touch on themes of post colonialism and armed conflict, with narratives of rape, same sex love,  and refugee and immigration experiences to name just a few. The stories are powerful and well written, and I felt as connected to those that ran just over a page or so to the more lengthy in the collection.

As with another of Gay’s short story collections, Difficult Women, I think she has such a command of the short story format that she is able to bring such depth and complexity in such a short word count. I loved the sensual ‘forbidden’ love in Of Ghosts and Shadows, but was also floored by the harrowing multigenerational story of life born in conflict in In The Manner of Water or Light. This was a brilliant collection and a great starting point for those new to Gay’s fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I’ve read a lot of Gay’s nonfiction, but this is my introduction to her fiction. This short story collection is cohesive in a way you don’t often see, all immersed in the experience of being Haitian: leaving the island or attempting to leave, coming back for traumatic visits, or choosing not to go back, trying to acclimate into American society, and feeling the burden of the stereotypes of what it must be to be a Haitian. The protagonists are straight, queer, poor, well-off, but as diverse as this sounds, they all sing the experience of being an islander. 

I felt this collection was even more timely with what’s happening right now on America’s borders. I don’t usually write about politics in my reviews, but I couldn’t help but think about the young couple in the final story, leaving everything and everyone they’ve ever known to embark on a boat, hoping to reach the shores of Miami and not die in the process. The pain and love they felt for Haiti palpable in every sentence. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an electronic copy.

This is a beautiful collection of short stories about people from Haiti. There are a lot of themes about immigration to the U.S. which is especially important to read in today's immigration climate. We see people of all SES levels and all different types of motivation. You can feel their hopes and their dreams and their pain. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone and am thinking of how I can incorporate some of these into my classroom.

This was her first published collection, if my goodreads research is correct. Really compelling short stories displaying her obviously deep ties to Haiti, and her brilliance. Thanks for the copy, Netgalley!