Peacekeeping by Mischa Berlinski

This book is about a senatorial election in rural Haiti from the point of view of an American. A Haitian who has been a lawyer in the U.S. returns to his hometown intent on building a road to Jérémie in western Haiti, perhaps the single most broadly beneficial economic need there. The book is very well written and shows solid knowledge of Haitian culture and language. Somewhat explicit in places and revealing of the misbehavior of peacekeepers, it is true to life.

The narrator is involved in keeping peace among the characters, giving the title a double meaning, like all things Haitian. The ending is sad, like the mysterious trajectory and tragedy that besets this island nation.