This year's Summer Read: Edwidge Danticat’s “Brother, I’m Dying”

Whitman College has chosen the award-winning memoir Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat for the 2015 Summer Read Program.

The annual Summer Read Program is an academic tradition that provides a platform for intellectual discussion and debate for the college's newest students as soon as they arrive on campus. As part of the program, Whitman's incoming first years are asked to read a chosen book in advance of their arrival and be prepared to discuss it with faculty and fellow students during their first week on campus.

This year's award-winning author, Edwidge Danticat, was born in Haiti. Her novels and short stories focus on Haitian families through the lens of immigration. Danticat published her first novel at age 25 and its nomination for the National Book Award made her the youngest ever nominee.

Brother, I'm Dying, published in 2007, won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was nominated for the National Book Award. The memoir brings back to life Danticat's uncle Joseph, who raised her from the age of four until she left Haiti eight years later to be reunited with her parents in New York City. When the 81-year-old Joseph fled Haiti in 2004, he was imprisoned by the Department of Homeland Security and died within days of his incarceration.

The New York Times called the memoir "remarkable... A fierce, haunting book about exile and loss and family love."

"We hope that this memoir will be read not only by incoming students, but also by the greater Whitman and Walla Walla communities," said President George Bridges. "The Summer Read Program gives students an instant connection with their classmates and their new community as soon as they arrive. They have something in common from the get-go."

The Summer Read Program includes a number of events. There will be a faculty panel presentation on Aug. 29, which will explore key themes and issues from the memoir from the perspectives of different disciplines. Author Edwidge Danticat will also attend several classes, have lunch with students and speak to the campus community on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Cordiner Hall. Her lecture is free and open to the public. Additional special events, including guest lectures, concerts and art projects reflecting major themes from Brother, I'm Dying will take place throughout the fall.

To encourage participation beyond the Whitman College campus, the college has purchased copies of the book for Walla Walla-area libraries. Brother, I'm Dying is already available for purchase at the Whitman College Bookstore.