Edwinge Danticat
Edwinge Danticat is the main character and author of the memoir. Born in Haiti, Danticat is left in the poor country by her parents when she is just four years old so that they can go to New York City to make money for the family. Left in Haiti with her little brother, Danticat lives with her uncle along with his wife.
When Danticat is twelve years old, she moves to New York City with her parents, and the time difference of seeing one another slowly closes. In 2002, Danticat marries Faidherbe Boyer, and the two have two children, both girls.
Danticat tells readers that she has wrote this book in honor of her dying father, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The book was to be given to relatives still in Haiti, telling them that there is prosperity available in America, and that they miss them.
Danticat's Parents
Danticat's parents are static characters for most of the novel, because they left early in Danticat's life. When she was just four years old, they left for New York City with a work visa in hand. They were looking for economic prosperity, but they were not sure what they would find. Danticat's parents left her in Haiti with her uncle, and Danitcat was never sure that she would see them again until she was twelve years old.
Danticat's father was diagnosed with a terminal illness later in life, which is what prompted Danticat to begin writing this memoir.
Faidherbe Boyer
Faidherbe Boyer is the man that Danticat fell in love with, and later married in 2002. Although he isn't mentioned that often in the novel, he is very important in Danticat's personal life. Together, the couple had two children, both daughters.
