Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring

Dr. Ardain Isma's brilliant new novel, "Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring" reveals the author's deep love of both his native Haiti and the United States. The story traces the journey of 17-year-old Yrvin Lacroix as he makes the dangerous crossing in a sailboat to Miami and joins the Haitian community in America.We are welcomed into the rich, cultural history of the Haiti -- lyrically laid out with joy and humour by Dr. Isma whose eye for whimsical detail is unfailing -- and allowed to be temporary members of the fascinating Haitian community as we follow Yrvin's new journey as a student and as a man. We learn that Yrvin is torn between two loves -- Michaela, a fellow student at his university and Regine, his childhood sweetheart. Dr. Isma succinctly draws the parallel here between the Old World - Regine and the New - Michaela. Who will ultimately claim his heart?Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring is highly recommended for anyone who loves great writing and a great story. I very much enjoyed learning about the cantilevered and resplendent heritage of Haiti, as well as the vibrant Haitian community here in the United States. A very enthusiastic 5-Stars to Dr. Ardain Isma and Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring!

Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring by Ardain Isma will tug on your heartstrings not only because of its content, but because of the author's ability to convey its messages. Isma's command of the language and his ability to create pictures and guide the reader to the tender places of heart and soul are its true gifts to the reader. Whether one is an immigrant, the result of an immigrant's journey, or someone whose family has lived in one place for its history, he or she will be touched by this very human story. Highly recommended. You will not regret taking a chance on it.

Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring by Dr. Ardain Isma is the type of immigrant fiction everyone should read and enjoy. It’s an exuberant mixture of Caribbean cultures--Haitian, Bahamian, Cuban--that have arrived on South Florida’s shore to create a refreshingly new amalgam. A 17-year-old Vinco comes on the sailboat from Haiti, leaving his old life and old love, Régine, behind. Once in America, he goes to college, works at a Cuban immigrant-owned store, fights against the Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti, and meets a mix-race Michaela, half-Haitian and half-Dominican. Though there is bitter animosity between those two cultures sharing the same island, Hispaniola, they fall in love. But since Michael is richer and a higher-class person than Vinco, their love comes under pressure.I enjoyed the sophisticated language and plot of this book. This novel is a kind of fictionalized memoir, written by an immigrant, but it’s highly recommended even if you are not an immigrant.

This story of a young man leaving Haiti and bringing his hopes for a better life is poignantly crafted from page one. Finding his way into Miami’s unique culture, Yrvin proves he’s up for the daunting task. Full of drive and ambition to get an education and take up the call for Haiti government reform, the reader’s respect for him takes root. This novel invites us on a journey with Yrvin to experience his passions and unwavering faith. Ah, but Yrvin’s unresolved romantic relationships are what tugs on the reader’s heartstrings. He faces a decision that will alter his life’s journey. Alas, we must wait for book two to continue traveling with Yrvin, but hopefully not too long. The book delivers a five-star read by a most talented and beloved author.

“Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring“ tightly gripped my interest from the very first chapter. The author’s power of narration is extraordinary. I eagerly flipped page after page to see what life has in store for Yrvin Lacroix, who faces the immigrant struggle and grapples with conflicting emotions of love. He sets foot on American soil looking forward to a better future, but his heart cries out for his countrymen in Haiti who suffer under a dictatorial regime. These themes are handled with utmost grace, with each rising to prominence without diminishing the others. The strength of the novel lies in the brilliant prose which successfully creates a lingering visual impact in the mind.I totally loved this novel and am definitely looking forward to a sequel!

I liked the simplicity and the complex character of the lovers. Good book to open conversation with friends

On the surface this book reads like a coming of age story. A young immigrant navigating his way into adulthood while managing living in two worlds. That's where the love story comes in. Regine and Mica are Vinco's two loves. Regine being his homeland and all they represent and Mica the new world he has assimilated into. It is a struggle that every immigrant's heart has been through and the author showcases it in what I found to be a new and inventive way.

Equal parts immigrant, and love story, this is an enlightening, entertaining and well-written tale. Will his promise to his childhood sweetheart in Haiti (Régine) pull him back from his newfound love in Miami (Mika), or is something entirely different around the corner? Turns out this is the first of two books, and the cliffhanger at the end has me waiting impatiently for the second addition.