Lahiny Pierre was born in Jacmel, South East of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her first public presentations date back to pre-school years at Kindergarten Marie Carline. At the age of fourteen she reunited with her parents in Brooklyn and finished her academic studies. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam. Ms. Pierre taught high school English in the New York City schools for six years and served as an adjunct at Stony Brook University. In 2000, she received a Long Island University’s Graduate Assistantship to pursue an M.A. Her literary works include poetry, literary criticism, screen plays, and two novels, both addressing the struggle of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s story, which she believes, affects the present in multiple ways. She is the author of General Authority, a Haitian novel and the coffee-table photography book titled, Haiti Earthquake 1-12-2010. Publication credits include articles with Awareness Magazine, columnist with Haitian Times, and short story inclusion in forth coming Akashic Noir anthology, edited by Edwidge Danticat.

Struggles of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s history affects one’s present life. When Denis decides to run from Port-au-Prince, he is not sure the fake passport will take him to New York City. For eleven years he has been the leader of the Engagés, a secret society fighting the Militia for the return of the city and a stop to the “Cut Heads Burn Homes” societal renegades. Days before Denis and his troops launch a key attack, one of their top men is assassinated. The Militia commands local thugs after Denis who must flee to save his skin. Denis bounds for the U.S. to escape death and maybe stumble into the American Dream. The problem of adapting to this dizzying new world fades as he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an interracial marital meltdown that could send him straight into the arms of his enemies back in Haiti.

This book illustrates themes of the struggle of migration, loss, and coming to terms with one’s history; exile by choice because of economic circumstances; assimilation - cause and effect; the myth of the American dream, an idea held by people worldwide; cultural alienation; socialization of the immigrant; leaving home; learning new experiences; adapting to a new life; speaking a new language; the reuniting of old friends; friendship; male bonding; spirituality; African Deities; Haitian Culture; Voodoo; facing the past; nationalism; community building; cultural awareness; music and dance in the Haitian culture; political unrest; murder; vengeance; and civic duties.

 

Mail Order
Please make check and/or money order payable to:
Lahiny Pierre
Adress: General Authority
P.O.Box 263
Grayson, GA 30017
contact: generalauthority@gmail.com

Some Proceeds from this book go to Haitian Earthquake Relief Efforts.