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tempestades_y_belleza's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
andrealucy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
miaelizabeth13's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
swenja's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
stacialithub's review
5.0
My heart is with Haiti today as they deal with yet another devastating earthquake. And even more so because last night I started & today I finished a short novel from Haiti for Women in Translation Month.
I found this excellent article that discusses the importance of a work like this.
Absolutely so well done. A hard & stunning book.
I found this excellent article that discusses the importance of a work like this.
... "Trouillot highlights how women’s experiences under slavery varied from men’s; she also brings to life current historiographical debates. Poetically written and intensely readable, The Infamous Rosalie is a model historical novel; it fills gaps in the archives by layering creative speculations onto historical data. And Lisette herself is an ideal companion through the plantation, so fully fleshed out that it is easy to imagine her as real." ...
Absolutely so well done. A hard & stunning book.
bougainvillea's review
I am beyond glad that this book has been translated into English. I don't love the translation, though. I wonder if it's even possible to fully appreciate a translation if you've read and loved the original. How do you read a translation without "hearing" the original in your head? And I'm sure translating this was no easy task. The original is written in very complex, intricate language. I imagine the translator was trying to be as faithful as possible to the original, but at times, it felt like it made the English text heavier than it needed to be, and confusing. Still, it's by no means a bad translation. The power of the story is not lost, even upon rereading.
Love the last paragraph of the author's afterword:
I wasn't intending to write a historical novel. May I be forgiven, then, for the few discrepencies and creative liberties I've taken. I seek only to acknowledge my characters' humanity. Yet I must refuse any responsibility for the torture and punishment described in the text. They are all unfortunately true, born of the cruel and perfidious imagination of those who proclaimed themselves to be civilized.
Love the last paragraph of the author's afterword:
I wasn't intending to write a historical novel. May I be forgiven, then, for the few discrepencies and creative liberties I've taken. I seek only to acknowledge my characters' humanity. Yet I must refuse any responsibility for the torture and punishment described in the text. They are all unfortunately true, born of the cruel and perfidious imagination of those who proclaimed themselves to be civilized.
chrrygal's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
miagic_tome's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Read this for a French Class on Haiti. It was eye-opening to see such an intimate, graphic depiction of slavery, it’s one of those stories where “enjoy” feels too lighthearted of a word with all the sadness in this book. So I’ll say I felt deep emotions through my reading and I wish stories like this were taught more often
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abortion, Blood, Suicide, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Violence, and Murder
al3xros3's review
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0