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bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
Maryse Conde can do no wrong and I don’t know why more persons are not reading her!
Set in modern day Guadeloupe, The Belle Creole opens with twenty two year old Dieudonne finding out that he will not be convicted for the murder of Loraine a wealthy white woman and descendant of plantation owners. We are taken into his internal thoughts on what happens the first 24 hours of being released from jail and the trail.
The Belle Creole is a commentary on class, racism, and inequality in modern day Guadeloupe. It is not every day that you read a book where a Black character is set free after being accused of killing a white woman- especially a white woman of means (albeit from being descendants of plantation owners). What Conde does well is keep her readers gripped, wanting to know how a Gardener ended up in the bed of his employer and WHY he was being charged for her murder.
Well written and engaging, a short but impactful read.
Set in modern day Guadeloupe, The Belle Creole opens with twenty two year old Dieudonne finding out that he will not be convicted for the murder of Loraine a wealthy white woman and descendant of plantation owners. We are taken into his internal thoughts on what happens the first 24 hours of being released from jail and the trail.
The Belle Creole is a commentary on class, racism, and inequality in modern day Guadeloupe. It is not every day that you read a book where a Black character is set free after being accused of killing a white woman- especially a white woman of means (albeit from being descendants of plantation owners). What Conde does well is keep her readers gripped, wanting to know how a Gardener ended up in the bed of his employer and WHY he was being charged for her murder.
Well written and engaging, a short but impactful read.
jacobs_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
gurofl's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My first book by this author. I really like her style and storytelling, and I'm definitely going to read more from her.
This was an interesting glimpse into life in a country I've never heard of before. And the contrast between the expected story and the reality: both with Dieudonné's story (how the death of Loraine happened), and the image Europeans have of the Caribbeans. I'm not sure I'm expressing myself clearly here. But like: does Europeans' expectations of how the Caribbeans is or should be in our eyes affect the people who actually are from the Caribbeans? Dieudonné definitely had a difficulty with living up to the image and role his lawyer painted of him and the events.
This was an interesting glimpse into life in a country I've never heard of before. And the contrast between the expected story and the reality: both with Dieudonné's story (how the death of Loraine happened), and the image Europeans have of the Caribbeans. I'm not sure I'm expressing myself clearly here. But like: does Europeans' expectations of how the Caribbeans is or should be in our eyes affect the people who actually are from the Caribbeans? Dieudonné definitely had a difficulty with living up to the image and role his lawyer painted of him and the events.
njw13's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
algerithm's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
erinbirnel's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kikireads's review
5.0
Condé asked a lot of hard questions in this novel, one of her rare ones to use a contemporary Guadelope setting. Can the past outlive its usefulness? Knowing that we need new stories does not guarantee we will know to create new ones. How can we? How do we tackle the big issues without ignoring the small ones that live in those closest to us every day?
Staceyann Chin wrote:
I believe holy is what you do
when there is nothing between your actions and a truth
In our little enclaves and fractured visions, are we destined to forever see through a glass darkly.The Belle Creolé will challenge the idea that holiness is possible. The world somehow felt more alive in these pages than in my surroundings. This book made me want to know everything about Guadeloupe right now. Upcoming Review for The Book Slut
4.5 stars
Bookstagram | Twitter | The Book Slut
Staceyann Chin wrote:
I believe holy is what you do
when there is nothing between your actions and a truth
In our little enclaves and fractured visions, are we destined to forever see through a glass darkly.The Belle Creolé will challenge the idea that holiness is possible. The world somehow felt more alive in these pages than in my surroundings. This book made me want to know everything about Guadeloupe right now. Upcoming Review for The Book Slut
4.5 stars
Bookstagram | Twitter | The Book Slut
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