Claire of the Sea Light

"Claire lives in a village by the sea with her beloved father. Every year on her birthday they visit the grave of her mother, who died giving birth to Claire. But on her seventh birthday, Claire runs away when she realizes that her father, fearing he cannot take care of her, is finalizing plans to give her away to a wealthy woman whose own child was killed in an accident. Claire’s disappearance is the catalyst for a series of interlocking stories about the hidden lives and loves of the people in this Haitian village. From the fisherman’s hut by the sea to the hillside homes of the rich, this is a revealing portrait that mixes a touch of magic with the tough reality of life in Haiti."

"I also love her new novel, “Claire of the Sea Light.” She’s so smart and such a beautiful writer. She knows exactly how to break my heart and put it back together again."