VILLAGE WEAVERS

Myriam J.A.Chancy's complex story looks at the fallout from colonialism, family secrets, class, and racism on the split island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Golden Voice Robin Miles does a good job of putting listeners on the island as schoolgirls Gertie and Sisi become best friends in 1940s Port-au-Prince in spite of their very different class and family standings. Miles has the beautiful melodious accent we associate with the island, which she employs to great effect for the characters' dialogue while using a less lilting accent for the narrative. The challenge for the listener comes with the multiple switches between characters and time frames as the novel covers a sixty-year history of broken friendships, family secrets, and class divisions. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2024]