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Reviews
SELECTED REVIEWS / COMMENTS
* * * * * * * * * * *
CARL FOMBRUN, “Carl’s Corner” 11/04/2004
The title of this book may be misleading. Although the Vodou element is a substantial part of
it, I did enjoy the international intrigue mixed with notions of nationalism, politics, and cultural
identities.
Alix Perrault writes in wonderful English and his story telling skills are obvious. Anyone can
enjoy this Caribbean thriller, a fiction having to do with the CIA, U.S. interest abroad,
Caribbean intrigue and mystic, etc. It is of interest even more so to a Haitian-American, where
one is reminded at times of the history of Haiti and the Caribbean ambiance.
The hero of the story being Carl Flambeau, we have a similar name. I found myself, although
of different generations, either being Carl Flambeau at certain stages in my life or wishing to
be, or not to be him at other stages.
Names like La Nativité, the island where this story takes place, could be at times called Haiti
as well as Port-du-Roi International airport, which could be called the Port-au-Prince
International airport.
The author’s description of Carl Flambeau’s arrival, from the U.S. to his homeland, after a
long absence, is an exquisite picture. Here is a sample:
"The American Airlines flight from New York touched down at the Port-du-Roi
International Airport to the applause of the friends and family members waiting with
controlled impatience on the rooftop observation deck…..
Carl came down the stairs following a heavyset woman carrying a long box under her
arm. Under the plastic cover that ran the length of the box, he could see a white doll
wearing a white frilly bouffant dress.
Once on the ground, the woman stopped and shifted the various items that she was
balancing in her two stubby hands. He too had to stop, unable to get past her. She
knelt down and kissed the hot, grayish-black tarmac. She’s been away awhile just like
me, he thought.
At the entrance, a small musical band dressed in Caribbean theme shirts, was playing
an old song that sounded somewhat familiar to him. They had no amplifying
equipment. Only the melding of the two drums and the clanging of two pieces of metal
came clear to his ears.”
Thank you Alix for this wonderful book that everyone should read.
* * * * * * * * * * *
MARY GAETJENS, San Francisco, CA 11/02/2004
Congratulations!!
I just finished your book. I was really drawn in to the landscape of "La Nativite". The sites, the
sounds, the heat, the smells, the tastes...great detail and the story is so perfectly Haitian.
Incidentally, I remember a legend about a metal in Haiti - probably gold - that would some day
spew forth from beneath the ground and Haiti would again be rich, be once again "The Pearl
of the Caribbean". I am very vague on the details. Is it this story that inspired you? Do you
know what I mean? Perhaps a Krik? Krak! story??
* * * * * * * * * * *
NADEGE FILS-AIME, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 05/14/2004
Thanks for writing this story. You've made me relive many experiences of my childhood.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SIMON PIERRE, Miami, FL 05/12/2004
I think something like this actually happened in Haiti in 1994.
* * * * * * * * * * *
COLETTE JACQUES, Suffolk County, NY 05/10/2004
Congratulations! Very well presented.
* * * * * * * * * * *
YANICK RENE, New York, NY 05/05/2004
I must admit I was more than a little surprised at the book.
I never expected that ending. Masterfully written... Very nicely done. You wrote about a lot of
what I would have written.... I can see it being translated and read all over... Everywhere that
has suffered the real rape of treasures...
I don't see how a movie could do this book justice. It was absolutely visual... I could even taste
what they were eating and drinking … it brought back a wonderful world of memories.
Thank you. You can quote me on this.
* * * * * * * * * * *
FRANTZ JEAN-LOUIS, Miami, FL 04/24/2004
A very interesting storytelling style, resembles the script of a movie. It kept me reading as the
interest into the next situation grows in the transitional parts.
You have mixed a fairly complex notion of cultural identity, politics, and a love story into this
book. Your respect and understanding of a sensitive cultural issue is remarkably visible, which
will attract criticism on the part of proponent/opponent of Voodoo (well… they have to read it
first!). I was entertained by it and I think others, like me, will enjoy reading it especially those
who have some ideas of the Caribbean culture. Those of us who grew up in places like La
Nativite may recognize some names and may be familiar to some practices and could be
even more appreciative. Finally, if I had to critique your work “on the air”, I would welcome it
as a very promising original “oeuvre” and recommend reading it.
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * *
CARL FOMBRUN, “Carl’s Corner” 11/04/2004
The title of this book may be misleading. Although the Vodou element is a substantial part of
it, I did enjoy the international intrigue mixed with notions of nationalism, politics, and cultural
identities.
Alix Perrault writes in wonderful English and his story telling skills are obvious. Anyone can
enjoy this Caribbean thriller, a fiction having to do with the CIA, U.S. interest abroad,
Caribbean intrigue and mystic, etc. It is of interest even more so to a Haitian-American, where
one is reminded at times of the history of Haiti and the Caribbean ambiance.
The hero of the story being Carl Flambeau, we have a similar name. I found myself, although
of different generations, either being Carl Flambeau at certain stages in my life or wishing to
be, or not to be him at other stages.
Names like La Nativité, the island where this story takes place, could be at times called Haiti
as well as Port-du-Roi International airport, which could be called the Port-au-Prince
International airport.
The author’s description of Carl Flambeau’s arrival, from the U.S. to his homeland, after a
long absence, is an exquisite picture. Here is a sample:
"The American Airlines flight from New York touched down at the Port-du-Roi
International Airport to the applause of the friends and family members waiting with
controlled impatience on the rooftop observation deck…..
Carl came down the stairs following a heavyset woman carrying a long box under her
arm. Under the plastic cover that ran the length of the box, he could see a white doll
wearing a white frilly bouffant dress.
Once on the ground, the woman stopped and shifted the various items that she was
balancing in her two stubby hands. He too had to stop, unable to get past her. She
knelt down and kissed the hot, grayish-black tarmac. She’s been away awhile just like
me, he thought.
At the entrance, a small musical band dressed in Caribbean theme shirts, was playing
an old song that sounded somewhat familiar to him. They had no amplifying
equipment. Only the melding of the two drums and the clanging of two pieces of metal
came clear to his ears.”
Thank you Alix for this wonderful book that everyone should read.
* * * * * * * * * * *
MARY GAETJENS, San Francisco, CA 11/02/2004
Congratulations!!
I just finished your book. I was really drawn in to the landscape of "La Nativite". The sites, the
sounds, the heat, the smells, the tastes...great detail and the story is so perfectly Haitian.
Incidentally, I remember a legend about a metal in Haiti - probably gold - that would some day
spew forth from beneath the ground and Haiti would again be rich, be once again "The Pearl
of the Caribbean". I am very vague on the details. Is it this story that inspired you? Do you
know what I mean? Perhaps a Krik? Krak! story??
* * * * * * * * * * *
NADEGE FILS-AIME, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 05/14/2004
Thanks for writing this story. You've made me relive many experiences of my childhood.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SIMON PIERRE, Miami, FL 05/12/2004
I think something like this actually happened in Haiti in 1994.
* * * * * * * * * * *
COLETTE JACQUES, Suffolk County, NY 05/10/2004
Congratulations! Very well presented.
* * * * * * * * * * *
YANICK RENE, New York, NY 05/05/2004
I must admit I was more than a little surprised at the book.
I never expected that ending. Masterfully written... Very nicely done. You wrote about a lot of
what I would have written.... I can see it being translated and read all over... Everywhere that
has suffered the real rape of treasures...
I don't see how a movie could do this book justice. It was absolutely visual... I could even taste
what they were eating and drinking … it brought back a wonderful world of memories.
Thank you. You can quote me on this.
* * * * * * * * * * *
FRANTZ JEAN-LOUIS, Miami, FL 04/24/2004
A very interesting storytelling style, resembles the script of a movie. It kept me reading as the
interest into the next situation grows in the transitional parts.
You have mixed a fairly complex notion of cultural identity, politics, and a love story into this
book. Your respect and understanding of a sensitive cultural issue is remarkably visible, which
will attract criticism on the part of proponent/opponent of Voodoo (well… they have to read it
first!). I was entertained by it and I think others, like me, will enjoy reading it especially those
who have some ideas of the Caribbean culture. Those of us who grew up in places like La
Nativite may recognize some names and may be familiar to some practices and could be
even more appreciative. Finally, if I had to critique your work “on the air”, I would welcome it
as a very promising original “oeuvre” and recommend reading it.
* * * * * * * * * * *
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The Reviews