The World is Moving Around Me: A Memoir of the Haiti Earthquake

This is a wonderful book by a Haitian author who lives in Montreal who was actually in Haiti for a writers' conference at the time of the earthquake. I have read a great many books about the earthquake mostly by outsiders which tend to voyerism and critiques. This book coveys so much of the character of the Haitian people and the challenges they faced immediately following the "tremblement." M. LaFerrière includes relevant information about people and the effect on their lives in during the earthquake in his inimitable well written prose. I have read it in the excellent English translation and now re-reading it in the original French version. As a long time habituée of Haiti, I revel in Mr. LaFerrière's respectful views of the Haitian people.

Mr. Laferriere is the master of descriptive writing, You can visualize while he writes. Too bad not more of his books are translated into English, so the choice is obvious. Learn to read french.

A beautiful and poetic rendering of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, told by an excellent writer who knows the culture and the people.

Beautifully written and translated. Very moving and low key.

Great book!

ok

I am a French student and have a few of Dany Laferrière's books in French. My girlfriend bought this book for me in English. Even translated Laferrière is a magnificent writer. This is a memoir, not a history book. If you want to learn about a real person who carries the soul of Haiti in his writings then read this book. If you want a history book on the earthquake just use google.

The book was very well written, but it became clear at a point that the story was veering from relating the story of the earthquake to a more personal perspective. I picked this book because I wanted to learn more about the earthquake and it's effect on people, not just the author and his family. I guess I was expecting more than a memoir could give.