Edwidge Danticat's Dewbreaker: The Book of the Dead

“What are the precise strategies that are used by its creator to convey the world to us and us to the world?"

In this story, the reader is introduced to Ka Bienaime, a first generation Haitian American sculptor on a trip with her father to deliver a sculpture she modeled after her father during his time in prison. The piece stirs emotions and memories in her father and he disappears with the statue mysteriously because of it. During the time her father is gone and we are rendered clueless, Ka describes her father to the hotel manager and the law enforcement and we begin to understand more of his character. Through Ka’s account, it becomes clear what type of relationship they share and how he has influenced her life and why she created the sculpture. There is significant emotional meaning behind Ka’s sculpture and it is through her phone calls with her mother and inner dialogue how we come to find this out. 

When Ka’s father returns, we see a first hand account of their relationship and level of respect for one another. In his recounting of the day and his time apart, we learn with Ka his history and that he not only destroyed the sculpture, but why he destroyed it. Ka’s anger is more than understandable, but it becomes extremely relatable as to why she does not outwardly show it or lash out, but rather keeps listening out of respect. This type of writing and inner dialogue becomes real very quickly and is a great technique, to show a character’s inner thoughts while a conversation is going on simultaneously. This style of writing is incredibly effective.

In the end, I feel as though the story runs flat, but was written in a well described method. On a personal note, I feel as though there was something hollow about the story. I can’t quite pin point it, if it was her character and a possible lack of depth or if it was the stark feel of the conversations in the piece… something was off, but overall, the world is described well and very relatable too, as I’ve been to Lakeland and Tampa multiple times. The atmosphere and cultural descriptions are spot on.