Breath, Eyes, Memory is a novel by Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat, published in 1994. The story revolves around Sophie Caco, a young Haitian girl who is sent to live with her mother in New York City after being raised by her aunt in Haiti. Sophie is haunted by her mother's traumatic past and struggles with her own identity and cultural expectations.
Throughout the novel, Danticat explores themes of sexual trauma, cultural heritage, and the search for self-identity. Sophie's mother, Martine, was raped during Haiti's political upheaval and the traumatic experience shapes the way she interacts with her daughter, Sophie. Martine insists that Sophie undergoes a "testing" ritual to confirm her virginity before she can marry. Sophie resents this cultural expectation and feels conflicted about her Haitian heritage as she tries to assimilate to American culture.
Breath, Eyes, Memory is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, cultural expectations, and the impact of past traumas on present-day relationships.
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