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Cover of The Farming of Bones
Historical Fiction· Dominican Republic

The Farming of Bones

by Edwidge Danticat
Aggregate Editorial Score43/100
#33,021of 99,626 books
★National Book Award
Published 1998English
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About This Book

Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Farming of Bones (1998) by Edwidge Danticat continues to receive. Set against the backdrop of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, this novel tells the story of Amabelle Désir, a Haitian woman working in the Dominican Republic. Danticat explores themes of love, loss, and survival amidst political turmoil and racial tension. The novel is acclaimed for its powerful storytelling and its poignant examination of a dark chapter in Caribbean history. Themes of love, loss, survival run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorEdwidge Danticat
Published1998
Country of Origin🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
LanguageEnglish
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9781616953492
Editorial Score43/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

This book is part of Dominican Republic's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Dominican Republic →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1998, Edwidge Danticat's The Farming of Bones is a work of historical fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with love, loss, survival, racial tension gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Farming of Bones among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 43/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Farming of Bones is how it handles its central concerns — love, loss, survival, racial tension — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within Dominican Republic's literary landscape, Edwidge Danticat occupies a significant position. The Farming of Bones is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

National Book Award
shortlist · global
19980
✍️
About the Author
Edwidge Danticat
Dominican Republic
View Author →

Edwidge Danticat is a Dominican Republic author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Farming of Bones about?

Set against the backdrop of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, this novel tells the story of Amabelle Désir, a Haitian woman working in the Dominican Republic. Danticat explores themes of love, loss, and survival amidst political turmoil and racial tension. The novel is acclaimed for its powerful storytelling and its poignant examination of a dark chapter in Caribbean history.

Who wrote The Farming of Bones?

The Farming of Bones was written by Edwidge Danticat, from Dominican Republic. First published in 1998.

What awards has The Farming of Bones won?

The Farming of Bones has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Farming of Bones worth reading?

The Farming of Bones is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 43/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in love, loss, survival.

Where can I buy The Farming of Bones?

You can buy The Farming of Bones on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Farming of Bones?

The Farming of Bones is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Farming of Bones from?

The Farming of Bones originates from Dominican Republic's literary tradition. Explore more books from Dominican Republic on our country page.

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