T
Zarite, or Tete, is born into slavery on the island of Saint Domingue in the 1700s. She is sold to Toulouse Valmorain as a young girl and works in the house on his sugarcane plantation. Through the years she becomes a nursemaid for his wife and child and a mother to her own. When the Haitian Revolution begins Valmorain flees with his family to New Orleans, and Tete begins a new life with the family just as the United States obtains new land in the Lousiana Purchase.
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My Thoughts
I have never read anything about the Haitian revolution before and this is such an interesting read. Some chapters are told from Tete's perspective, but most is written in third person.
Getting to understand what life was like on the island during French Colonialism and how the revolution started is very intriguing. Especially the hardships of the slaves who had the completely exhausting work of cutting sugar cane and creating molasses on the plantation.
It was also fascinating to have a look into life in New Orleans before it became a part of the United States. French and Spanish colonial rule gave it the more European feel it still has today. In both locations, Tete has to deal with strong political and social boundaries based on skin color. Not just between those considered Black and White, but the variations in between of those who are mixed race, including her own daughter.
This novel is very well done and I would recommend that everyone take the chance to read it.
Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!
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