After the Dance by Edwidge Danticat

About Jacmel and Carnival and Haiti from a very positive viewpoint. A lot of culture and language (the title comes from a Haitian proverb: After the dance, the drum is heavy). Captures the openness and resilience of Haitian people. The author tells her own story and the story of Jacmel. She likes the people she meets, they like her. She has hopes for her country and is proud of her family and their values. To write about Haiti without pessimism and despair is itself an achievement.