This is the first book translated to English from Madagascar. Set in the turmoil of the late 1800s, this is a sweeping tale of human bondage, revenge and faith. Palace intrigues, clan wars, forbidden religion, neighbors turning on neighbors, innocence proven by evading death, and life-long feuds for family revenge. Everything you would expect from Dickens, Hawthorn, or Hugo. There are many twists and overarching themes, as well as history in a different culture as it fights colonization while adopting modern industrialization.
Set in a small but prosperous village, we meet three generations of women – Bebe, Bao, and Fara – and their slave Tsito. Bebe, the matriarch, has a hair lip now, but was once a beauty that never married. Her daughter Bao was a famed dancer who entranced men with her first dance competition, winning the heart of Rabo, who left without marrying her. Fara is the daughter of that union. Tsito, enslaved when his village was attacked and his family murdered, was provided by Rabo to help the women when he left.
From the time of inception, Bao’s only pregnancy was decreed evil by the local seer, who wanted to kill Fara to kill the evil, but was tricked into dismissing the traditional methods when a European priest interrupted. Fara and Tsito were inseparable even though they had different social standing, but evil was always nearby, as the seer predicted.
The history of the country is reflected the pair’s stories and the stories of their childhood friends. Letting Europeans enter the country with crazy ideas of worship and learning was not at first considered threatening. As the new religion caught on, however, the Sovereign Queen sought to eradicate it from her country by killing those that believe. She stopped listening to clans that had supported her father’s reign, instead taking away wealth and freedom. Each day brought new fears. It is in this atmosphere that Fara realizes she had always been in love with Tsito. Many trials are put in front of these two, and I will not spoil the book by sharing them.
The story is complex in its telling, yet simple at the core. Value all human beings. Trust in love. Turn from hate. Work hard for what is right.
Well worth the read!
The Source 4 Books 