Brother, I’m Dying

Book – Non-Fiction. By Edwidge Danticat. 2008. 288 pages.
A gripping autobiographical book, about one Haitian woman’s experience as a young immigrant and her family’s struggle to survive in the United States while fearing for those they left behind.

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From the age of four, award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat came to think of her uncle Joseph as her “second father,” when she was placed in his care after her parents left Haiti for America. And so she was both elated and saddened when, at twelve, she joined her parents and youngest brothers in New York City. As Edwidge made a life in a new country, adjusting to being far away from so many who she loved, she and her family continued to fear for the safety of those still in Haiti as the political situation deteriorated.

Joseph Danticat fled Haiti in 2004, at the age of 81, and came to the U.S. seeking political asylum. Upon arrival, he was imprisoned by U.S. Homeland Security and died while in custody. [Publisher's description.]

Published by Vintage

ISBN:9781400034307

Related Resources

Presentation about the book by Danticat on C-SPAN Book TV at Karibu Books.

First chapter of Brother, I’m Dying.

Interviews (Dec. 1, 2004  Oct. 5, 2007) with Edwidge Danticat on Democracy Now! about the death of her uncle, 81-year-old Rev. Joseph Dantica, in a federal immigration jail in South Florida.