A review by _inge_
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende

emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.25

This is a sweeping story which centers around Zarité, or Tété, who is held as a slave by Valmorain. Their paths cross when Valmorain buys Tété to have her be a servent to his wife. The story takes place over many decades, in Haiti before it became independent, throughout the revolution of the black population and then in New Orleans while it is under French, then Spanish, then US rule. 

There are so many interesting characters whose lives intermingle in various ways, many hardships, many children who get shuffled around to be taken care of by two, one or none of their biological parents. The characters are rich and morally gray, even if they play a minor role. Their lives are being shaped by the historical events taking place. I was looking up a lot of information, for example more information on the Haitian vodou deities and spirits and the current maps of the locations. 

This book left me wanting more, for example a follow up story about Justin. Will he play a role in the abolistionist movement / civil war in the US, inspired by his ancestry?
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