ISLAND BENEATH THE SEA- ISABEL ALLENDE
Island Beneath the Sea is a powerful and moving book by Isabel Allende. Island Beneath the Sea focuses on the island of Saint Domingue (modern day Haiti) during the looming threat of the Haitian slave revolution. The book documents the many lives of the people living in Saint Domingue such as the slaves, plantation owners and the free people of color. The book takes place during a highly uncertain political atmosphere. Saint Domingue was a colony of France, France was also facing political instability and the inevitable French Revolution. The book masterfully documents the lives of the people of Saint Domingue as they move to New Orleans bringing with them a multitude of cultures and stories. The most compelling part of the book are the women who were either slaves or free people of color. These women were continuously resilient in the face of endless obstacles and pain. On a side note: Isabel Allende is going to be awarded the presidential medal of freedom on November 24th at the White House. This particular award is the highest civilian honor in the United States.
AMERICANAH- CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (a.k.a Beyonce's and our favorite feminist) beautifully and seamlessly navigates issues such as immigration, gender and race through the experiences of her protagonist, Ifemelu. Ifemelu has just moved to the United States from Nigeria and her narrative is honest and relatable. As an immigrant myself this book really resonated with me of the pains , struggles and even some of the hilarious absurdities of moving to America.