A review by gurofl
The Belle Créole by Maryse Condé

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.