What Storm, What Thunder

By: Myriam J.A. Chancy

Narrated by: Ella Turenne

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's summary

The audiobook edition of What Storm, What Thunder includes an exclusive introduction from author Myriam Chauncy about the 2010 earthquake in Haiti that inspired this novel, as well as the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti earlier this year. In her own voice and signature poignant and vivid prose, Myriam reflects on her efforts to humanize a catastrophe and provide listeners with a means to understand the incredible strength and spirit of a nation in crisis.

“Sublime. A striking and formidable novel by one of our most brilliant writers and storytellers.” (Edwidge Danticat)

The earth had buckled and, in that movement, all that was not in its place fell upon the earth’s children, upon the blameless as well as the guilty, without discrimination.

At the end of a long, sweltering day, as markets and businesses begin to close for the evening, an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude shakes the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Award-winning author Myriam J. A. Chancy masterfully charts the inner lives of the characters affected by the disaster - Richard, an expat and wealthy water-bottling executive with a secret daughter; the daughter, Anne, an architect who drafts affordable housing structures for a global NGO; a small-time drug trafficker, Leopold, who pines for a beautiful call girl; Sonia and her business partner, Dieudonné, who are followed by a man they believe is the vodou spirit of death; Didier, an emigrant musician who drives a taxi in Boston; Sara, a mother haunted by the ghosts of her children in an IDP camp; her husband, Olivier, an accountant forced to abandon the wife he loves; their son, Jonas, who haunts them both; and Ma Lou, the old woman selling produce in the market who remembers them all. Artfully weaving together these lives, witness is given to the desolation wreaked by nature and by man.

Brilliantly crafted, fiercely imagined, and deeply haunting, What Storm, What Thunder is a singular, stunning record, a reckoning of the heartbreaking trauma of disaster, and - at the same time - an unforgettable testimony to the tenacity of the human spirit.

©2021 Myriam J.A. Chancy (P)2021 Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks

View of a World I Did Not Know

These wonderfully interwoven characters showed me different aspects of a land I knew nothing about. The author brought me to know and care about each through this catastrophic event. A worthy read.

Absolutely stunning read!

This was my first historical fiction novel and it was one of those books that really makes you take a hard look at yourself. I felt like I gained a new appreciation for the artistry of writing and think Chancey did a fabulous job of developing her characters! The speaker was slow and deliberate with her words, really drawing you in with her expression. Fantastic read.

We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would today, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.
-Frederick Douglass (1852)

On January 12th, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale unleashed its wrath on Haiti. The devastation is insurmountable - a scene of indescribable life-altering trauma and disaster. Myriam J. A. Chancy author of What Storm What Thunder skillfully crafted a fictional novel with beautiful prose and rich themes depicting beauty within a disaster. Each theme honing on life-altering issues which included well-researched interjections of historical facts throughout the novel; all tied in effectively with current events. With clear and concise prose, the author navigates deftly through a complex narrative of Biblical, spiritual beliefs, scientific evidence, symbolism and so much more to shed light on something akin to Armageddon. The earthquake, often referred to as Douz, was told through the life experiences of ten main characters - all integral to the flow of the story. Ms. Chancy gave credence to the story as she allowed the characters to share their life experiences pre, intra, and post-earthquake, in Haiti and abroad.

"If you don't speak for the dead, who will?" - Concussion (2015) This novel was successful in eulogizing the estimated 300,000 individuals who succumbed to the devastation of the earthquake.

"And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." Revelation 16: 21

heart wrenching

The author takes us with several characters from all walks of life as they experience the Jan 12 2010 earthquake in Haiti and its aftermath. The book was heart wrenching , bringing to life personal experiences that may have only been reported as statistics by the international media. I enjoyed the narration, the accents, the use of Haitian Kreyol and real place names. What a resilient nation!

emotionally moving!

On Jan. 12, 2010, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake that killed 300,000 and left millions destitute. I recall that earthquake and remember feeling very terrible for those poor people. Author Myriam J.A. Chancy has created an impressive novel that illuminates how that event crushed the souls of Haitians.

That event is akin to the USA’s 9/11. All Haitians remember exactly what they were doing and where they were when the earthquake hit or when they heard of the earthquake. Those who lived in Haiti are still haunted. Chancy tells that story through ten people. Each character’s story shows the levels of grief and tragedy endured from “the Event”. Some of the characters are interconnected. Chancy also includes Haitians living abroad and how their horror was multiplied by not being able to contact anyone in Haiti: are my friends and family alive? Are they hurt?

The first story, for me, was emotionally shattering: a mother who witnesses her two girls consumed by the earth and her little boy crushed. Her husband has left her, and she is alone, mourning with such force that your heart breaks. She is left alone in the dangerous displaced-person’s camp. Another character in this camp is a 15-year-old girl who hides from the packs of pillaging boys and men. Rape is frequent.

Chancy weaves other characters in the story in differing layers of desperation. I was crushed while listening to the audio of this story. Ella Turenne narrates the story with emotion. If I have one quibble, it’s that she used her voice for male characters’ thoughts. If they spoke, she used a male voice, but their inner musings were her own.

I strongly recommend this story, either in written form or the audio. That said, I wished I would have read it since I am more of a visual learner. Chancy’s prose are beautiful. This story illuminated the devastating impact that continues to ravage Haiti.

Mesi Anpil

I am a foreigner who came to Haiti on January 27, 2010 wanting to help. Haiti and her people captured my heart and is forever a part of my life.
This account of these individuals and their connections captures my experience of the stories I carry and the language and culture I respect.

Difficult

I tried three different times to listen to this story. I thought perhaps it was my frame of mind at each attempt that colored my response, but I am not sure. All I heard was anger, rejection and pessimism. With the world's current situation, I couldn't finish the tale. Maybe someday I will try again.