Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti (1992) by Frances Temple is a powerful debut novel set in the slums of Haiti during the political turmoil of 1991. The story follows Djo Leguardien, a young man severely injured in a firebombing by the Macoute, a violent street gang. While recovering in a hospital, Djo recounts his life story to Jeremie, a reporter sent to document his experiences. Through alternating first-person perspectives, the novel weaves together Djo’s traumatic past—his involvement with political activism, his escape from forced labor, and his struggle for survival—and Jeremie’s journey of self-discovery and growing love for Djo. As they develop a bond, they find strength and hope in each other, deciding to fight for a better future for Haiti. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, political resistance, and the struggle for identity amidst oppression.
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