For March: Brother, I'm Dying

For March we have chosen Brother, I'm Dying
by Edwidge Danticat,

From the age of four, award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat came to think of her uncle Joseph as her “second father,” when she was placed in his care after her parents left Haiti for America. And so she was both elated and saddened when, at twelve, she joined her parents and youngest brothers in New York City. As Edwidge made a life in a new country, adjusting to being far away from so many who she loved, she and her family continued to fear for the safety of those still in Haiti as the political situation deteriorated.

In 2004, they entered into a terrifying tale of good people caught up in events beyond their control. Brother I'm Dying is an astonishing true-life epic, told on an intimate scale by one of our finest writers.

For February: This Human Season

For February, we have selected, This Human Season
by Louise Dean,

November 1979, the height of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Kathleen Moran’s son Sean has just been transferred to the hypersecure H-block in Belfast’s notorious Maze prison, where he soon emerges as a young but important force in the extreme protest that political prisoners are staging there. John Dunn is also newly arrived at the prison, having taken on the job of guard—a brutal but effective way to support a house and a girlfriend. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, no one’s dreams go untroubled. As rumors of a hunger strike begin to circulate, Louise Dean’s pitch-perfect novel places two parents, two sons, and two enemies on a collision course that ends in a surprising and deeply resonant climax.

Our November Author: Francisco Goldman

For a little biographical information on our November author, Francisco Goldman, (The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed the Bishop?) there's this Wikipedia entry. This CUNY lecture by the author recaps his journey and this Pen World Voices panel event includes Goldman with the bonus of other prospective Rights Readers authors.

The Nation, 'The Novelist and the Murderers', covers the effect of the book's publication on Guatemala and WNYC follows up with an interview on the same topic:



Global Voices Online records the thoughts of Guatemalans ten years after the murder: Remembering Bishop Gerardi and His Report “Never Again!” Finally, for current human rights concerns and actions: AIUSA's Guatemala page.

New Amnesty-USA Blog

Amnesty International - USA has combined its blogs into one comprehensive blog called Human Rights Now. Apropos of our Rights Readers selection this month, The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed the Bishop, they have a post on Guatemala referencing the Holiday Card Action for the Guatemalan Foundation of Forensic Anthropology. The blog should be a great way to keep up with the latest news from AI. Check it out!