Set on the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe, 'The Bridge of Beyond' by Simone Schwarz-Bart traces a century of history of the Lougandor women beginning after the end of slavery. The novel follows five generations, focusing on Toussine, known as Queen Without a Name, and her granddaughter, Telumee. The book delves into the struggles of these women to survive in an unstable economy, turning to alcohol and violence in times of despair. Schwarz-Bart's writing style is described as lush, realistic, and filled with rich imagery that immerses the reader in the natural world of Guadeloupe, creating a magical tribute to women, self-reliance, and the power of transcendence.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, particularly the female protagonists, who exhibit resilience and depth despite their flaws and struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its lyrical and poetic nature, weaving in rich imagery and elements of magical realism.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the struggles and triumphs of several generations of women, primarily Telumee and her grandmother, as they navigate life's challenges in a post-slavery context.

Setting:

The setting is vividly depicted in Guadeloupe, with an emphasis on its natural beauty and cultural richness.

Pacing:

The pacing is reflective and slow, with occasional abrupt changes that can challenge the reader's immersion.

A MAN’S COUNTRY may be cramped or vast according to the size of his heart. I’ve never found my country too small, though that isn’t to say my heart is great. And if I could choose it’s here in Guadelo...

Notes:

The novel is set in Guadeloupe, a Caribbean island.

It explores the lives of five generations of women in the Lougandor family.

The story primarily revolves around Telumee and her grandmother, Toussine, known as Queen Without a Name.

The narrative combines elements of folk traditions, spirits, and Christianity.

Schwarz Bart's writing captures the rhythm of Guadeloupe's language and culture.

The novel addresses the struggles of women post-slavery, including love, loss, and dignity.

Telumee's journey from childhood to adulthood is a central theme.

The story is rich with imagery of the natural landscape of Guadeloupe.

There are magical elements intertwined with the everyday reality of the characters.

The title of the original French version translates to 'Rain and Wind on Telumee Miracle.'

Schwarz Bart celebrates the resilience and strength of women through her characters.

The book addresses themes of colonialism, race, and gender.

Readers describe it as heart-wrenching yet beautiful and poetic.

Characters are not perfectly developed, yet they evoke strong empathy.

The author, Simone Schwarz Bart, was born in Guadeloupe and later moved to Paris.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The narrative includes themes of loss, violence, and the harsh realities of life, making it important for readers to be aware of these elements.

Has Romance?

The novel features romance as a significant element, exploring love found and lost throughout the protagonist's life.

From The Publisher:

This is an intoxicating tale of love and wonder, mothers and daughters, spiritual values and the grim legacy of slavery on the French Antillean island of Guadeloupe. Here long-suffering Telumee tells her life story and tells us about the proud line of Lougandor women she continues to draw strength from. Time flows unevenly during the long hot blue days as the madness of the island swirls around the villages, and Telumee, raised in the shelter of wide skirts, must learn how to navigate the adversities of a peasant community, the ecstasies of love, and domestic realities while arriving at her own precious happiness. In the words of Toussine, the wise, tender grandmother who raises her, "Behind one pain there is another. Sorrow is a wave without end. But the horse mustn't ride you, you must ride it."

A masterpiece of Caribbean literature, The Bridge of Beyond relates the triumph of a generous and hopeful spirit, while offering a gorgeously lush, imaginative depiction of the flora, landscape, and customs of Gua-deloupe. Simone Schwarz-Bart's incantatory prose, interwoven with Creole proverbs and lore, appears here in a remarkable translation by Barbara Bray.

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The Bridge of Beyond

Simone Schwarz-Bart